Opinion: Diabetes association CEO: What an independent review says happened at the ADA’s controversial June conference

In response to controversy from the June 5 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, ADA CEO Chuck Henderson presents the findings of an independent review conducted by five volunteer investigators. The review examined two central claims: that ADA suppressed a viewpoint by removing attendees distributing an editorial critical of federal research cuts, and that ADA called police on its own members.

The review found no merit to the censorship claim, noting the editorial was published in the ADA's own journal, Diabetes Care, and that removals stemmed from repeated disruptions violating the conference code of conduct, not the content. On the police claim, the review found no evidence that ADA called the New Orleans Police Department; security personnel included off-duty officers acting as event security, not law enforcement.

Henderson acknowledges ADA did not get everything right, citing missed opportunities for better communication by staff and security. He reaffirms the ADA's commitment to open debate, noting the organization has published critical viewpoints and continues to voice opposition to federal cuts affecting the diabetes community, while asking that dissent be expressed without disrupting proceedings.