For example, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a community dealing with an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes that has the highest rate of cardiovascular disease deaths in the nation, the award will help 1, 600 physicians and other providers participate in a new community-wide health information system that will help them better monitor and improve care transitions as patients move from one care setting to another.

WHITEHOUSE: New Recovery Act Investments in Health IT

In adults, the majority of new cases will be Type 2 diabetes -- an illness associated with obesity, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, and older age.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

Also of concern are rising health-care costs, as obesity is linked with costly chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

WSJ: Schools Pivotal in Obesity Fight, Report Finds

About 260, 000 working days are in Northern Ireland due to people staying off work with obesity-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes even backache.

BBC: Target obesity in the workplace, say business leaders

Although obesity is a risk factor, not all people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.

BBC: Rates of diabetes soar in the UK

We saw the numbers on the economics of what obesity is costing us today, but understand with type-2 diabetes emerging earlier and earlier in life, we got to get our hands around this.

NPR: Nation's Obesity Problem Puts Strain On Health Care Costs

It was also unlikely to be have any therapeutic benefits for those with type 2 diabetes, mainly associated with obesity, as these patients still make insulin.

BBC: Stem cells 'can treat diabetes'

Many people with type 2 diabetes are also obese, and obesity is linked to a greater risk of some types of cancer.

CNN: Diabetes increases cancer mortality risk

Chronically ill adults are defined as those with at least one of the following conditions: depression, type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

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