The University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute is poised to implement a new program, developed with Pentagon sponsorship, to improve diabetes care and help diabetics better manage their disease.

The program was developed and tested over the past year with a $10 million grant from the U.S. Defense Department and, with help from an additional $8 million in defense funds announced yesterday by U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, will now be used in UPMC Health System facilities throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Features of the program include computer software that will help physicians track their diabetic patients' health, reminding them, for instance, when tests or checkups are due.

One measure that will be closely followed is a test that estimates the average amount of glucose in the blood over several months. Controlling blood glucose levels is critical for preventing complications of diabetes.

The program will provide educational materials and opportunities for patients so they can take a more active role in managing their disease. One component also stresses how to prevent diabetes through diet, weight loss and exercise.

Linda Siminerio, director of the diabetes institute, said a pilot version of the program has been tested in some UPMC physician offices "and now it's time to widely disseminate it."

In addition to UPMC facilities, the program will be offered through Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, Uniontown Hospital, Highlands Hospital in Connellsville and Indiana Regional Medical Center. Also, a diabetes clinic will open in early 2006 at an Air Force base in San Antonio.

Eight percent of Pennsylvania residents have diabetes, including 720,000 diagnosed cases and 380,000 undiagnosed cases. The disease accounts for $7.7 billion in health care costs annually in the state, according to the institute.

Nationally, diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death, according to the American Diabetes Association. Blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and limb amputation are among the complications of the chronic condition.