The American Diabetic Association held its 64th Scientific Sessions on June 4-8, 2004, in Orlando, Florida, USA. The meeting was devoted to developments in different areas of diabetes mellitus research: epidemiology; understanding of diabetic microvascular and macrovascular complications; various modes of treatment including complementary and alternative medicine; new targets in the treatment of the disease, including islet cell transplantation; and the approach to the concept of good quality of care.