State House approves construction of new diabetes center

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House votes to authorize the construction of a diabetes research and treatment center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.<br/><br/>The measure is a

Wednesday, April 26th 2006, 6:13 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House votes to authorize the construction of a diabetes research and treatment center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

The measure is a priority of OU President David Boren, who called for the $50-million center after learning he had diabetes last year. Last week, Boren made personal appearances in the House and Senate to raise awareness of the disease and rally support for the center.

The measure authorizes the OU Board of Regents to establish the research center with operations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Funding for the project will come later during the appropriations process.

According to the State Department of Health, approximately 200,000 Oklahomans have diabetes. The American Diabetes Association estimates more than 20-million people have diabetes.