New law on diabetes educators is only one of its kind in U.S.

The new Kentucky law requiring that diabetes educators be licensed is the only one of its kind in the country. The American Association of Diabetes Educators says the law will "enhance consumer protection and increase professional recognition," The Courier-Journal's Laura Ungar reports. The group would like to see similar license requirements in every state in the nation.

Senate Bill 71 was sponsored by state Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, left, R-Lexington. It was signed by Gov. Steve Beshear earlier this week. It is one of two bills that passed this session that addresses diabetes, a growing problem in Kentucky. In 2009, Kentucky had the nation's fourth highest rate of diagnosed diabetes, state officials say. Senate Bill 63 charges several state agencies, including the Department of Public Health, with the responsibility of trying to reduce the incidence ofdiabetes in the state and improve diabetes care.

Diabetes educators, who can be nurses, dieticians, physicians or other health-care professionals, counsel patients about nutrition and physical activity, educate them about their medications and teach them how to monitor their blood glucose. (Read more)