The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is facing a boycott
of its meetings and events after five scientists were removed from its annual
meeting for distributing leaflets critical of federal budget cuts and
government interference in medical research.
The scientists were escorted out of the ADA Scientific
Sessions, in New Orleans, on June 5. They had been distributing copies of an
editorial published in Diabetes Care, criticising cuts to National
Institutes of Health funding and government interference in medical research.
One of those evicted from the conference was Diabetes Care
editor-in-chief Steven Kahn, a professor of medicine at Washington University, and
co-author of the article.
Following the incident, ADA CEO Charles Henderson announced
an independent review.
The ADA published its initial findings at the beginning of
this month.
It found that the five attendees had violated the meeting’s code of
conduct and disrupted the event. The organisation said the content of the
distributed material was unrelated to their removal.
The review also acknowledged communication shortcomings and
proposed improvements to event policies, staff training and internal
communications.
The findings, however, have done little to settle the
dispute.
In a LinkedIn Post, Kahn said: “Democratic institutions are
built on people having the power to speak without fear. The ADA has muzzled its
members and has not provided truthful answers. The ADA’s executive and lay
leadership needs to be told that reform is required if we are all going to
fight for a better world for people with diabetes.”
The ADA has said the review was not final.
In a subsequent press statement it said its findings did not take into account 'the full breadth and depth of the AGC's investigation and certain interviews that were conducted after the initial findings were prepared'. It said 'additional findings' were expected to be presented to the board, which 'may clarify or correct information previously provided and could result in further actions by the board'.
“We are grateful for the considerable, ongoing work of the AGC members,” said James Tai, Chair of the ADA Board. “We look forward to further insights in what will be their final report; the Board will consider any additional recommendations they may have, and act accordingly.”
Boycott threatens ADA activities
However, ADA is now facing a boycott
of activities, which is understood to have been signed by 1,000 members, since
its launch earlier this month.
Signatories say they will not attend future meetings,
including the 2027 Scientific Sessions, or participate in presentations, grant
reviews, journal management and fundraising.
Their demands include an externally led review of the ADA’s
governance, leadership structure and handling of the New Orleans incident.
On September 6, the ADA said its initial announcement had
not reflected the full breadth of the investigation. Further findings could
lead to additional action.
The dispute has also reached Diabetes Care. Kahn said the journal’s editorial leadership had signed the
boycott letter and would suspend their duties until the dispute was resolved or
the editors were replaced.
The ADA claims the journal remains operational and continues
to accept submissions.
Editor’s note
A growing challenge for associations
The dispute comes as associations face increasingly vocal
and organised member activism.
Earlier this year thousands of mathematicians
signed a petition calling for a boycott of the 2026 International Congress of
Mathematicians (ICM), in Philadelphia, over concerns around visa restrictions
and the potential threat of ICE
detainments in the host city.
On that occasion petition organisers argued that holding the
meeting in the USA, contravened its mission statement to advance mathematics through
‘international cooperation’.
For international association meeting organisers, the ADA episode
demonstrates howdisputes that begin at the meeting venue can quickly
escalate into wider governance crises.
Clear codes of conduct remain essential. So do transparent
enforcement procedures, effective communication and meaningful engagement with
members.
The ADA says it is awaiting the board’s final findings and
remains focused on its mission. Whether that will be enough to rebuild trust
with its professional membership remains unclear.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
