Grammy-winning artist Usher made headlines this week for his advocacy work on diabetes awareness, visiting Capitol Hill to champion early screening and healthcare access for those at risk. As a leading voice for public health, Usher has used his platform to draw attention to the critical need for early diabetes detection, with a focus on type 2 diabetes prevention.
During his visit, Usher met with key lawmakers, including Senator Raphael Warnock (Democrat, Georgia), to discuss the importance of widespread diabetes screening. Their conversation centered on making routine screening for diabetes more accessible, especially for at-risk communities. Usher emphasized that early detection could lead to better management and reduce the complications associated with diabetes.
“Access to early screening is a fundamental step toward reducing the impact of diabetes, particularly in communities that are often underserved by the healthcare system,” Usher said during his meetings. He added that, as someone personally touched by the disease, this cause is close to his heart.
Usher’s visit coincided with the annual National Diabetes Advocacy Day, during which advocates from across the country converged on Capitol Hill to push for expanded healthcare access and preventive measures for diabetes. In his meetings with lawmakers, Usher also highlighted the role of education in combating the rise of type 2 diabetes, particularly in young people and minority communities disproportionately affected by the condition.
Senator Warnock praised Usher’s efforts, noting that celebrity advocacy helps elevate critical public health issues. “Diabetes is one of the most pressing health challenges we face, and having Usher’s voice in this fight amplifies the message that prevention and early detection are crucial,” Warnock said.
Breakthrough T1D supports the effort to improve diabetes screening and prevention, recognizing that early intervention is essential not only for type 2 diabetes but for type 1 as well. While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, greater awareness of the disease’s warning signs can lead to quicker diagnoses and more effective management.
Advocacy Action: You don’t need to be a celebrity to access politicians. You will have one or more politicians of your own who need your vote. Make contact with them, ask to meet them, tell them your story but most importantly, explain what you want from them. This could simply be regular contact on diabetes issues, or a specific ask around prescribing, reimbursements, coverage, access to medical treatments, etc.