This symposium is primarily intended for a non-specialist audience

Entry to the symposium is free

Date & Time

Monday, 1 October 2012, 15.00-17.00

Immediately before EASD Welcome Reception

Location

Naunyn Hall, Messe Berlin, Germany

Provisional Programme

• 15.00-15.05 – Welcome and Introduction:
  Anne Felton, UK and Johan Wens, Belgium
• 15.05-15.30 – Biological and translational value of research in diabetes genetics
  Mark McCarthy, UK
• 15.30-15.55- Clinical research centres of excellence: the German model
  Hans-Ulrich Haering, Germany
• 15.55-16.20 – Novel therapeutic approaches: stem cells
  Philippe Halban, Switzerland
• 16.20-16.45 – Patient involvement in research: how can each person make a difference?
  Michaela Diamant, The Netherlands
• 16.45-17.00 – Discussion

Additional information

For information contact: Sarah.Hills@euradia.org or telephone +44 (0)1403 269882

http://pcdeurope2012.semfyccongresos.com/registration

LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU IN OCTOBER!

The European Parliament Adopts Crucial Diabetes Resolution Calling on the Commission and Member States to Address the Growing Diabetes Epidemic

16 March 2012 – The European Coalition for Diabetes (ECD) welcomes the adoption on 14 March of the European Parliament Resolution addressing the EU diabetes epidemic. The Resolution calls on the Commission to develop and implement a targeted EU Diabetes Strategy, to address the burden of this chronic disease, affecting more than 32 million EU citizens and even more in the future. The Resolution is a great step forward and demonstrates strong political commitment at the EU-level to tackle this devastating disease.

On 14 March the European Parliament adopted the Resolution on addressing the EU diabetes epidemic, driven by the cross-party and cross-national EU Diabetes Working Group (EUDWG), with the strong support of other fellow MEPs. The European Coalition for Diabetes (ECD) warmly welcomes this crucial Resolution as a great achievement marking a significant step forward towards improved diabetes prevention, diagnosis, management, education and research, for the better health and quality of life of all European citizens living with this condition.

EUDWG MEP Co-Chair Dr Simon Busuttil commented: “Today’s Resolution is a big victory in the fight against the diabetes epidemic, because it affirms that diabetes is a priority area for the European Parliament. The European Commission will now be considering how we can do more for the millions of diabetes patients all over Europe”.

Baroness Sarah Ludford, another EUDWG MEP Co-Chair, also expressed her satisfaction. “It’s a fantastic achievement to have got this Resolution calling for an EU strategy for diabetes passed after years of effort by the European Coalition for Diabetes and the EU Diabetes Working Group of MEPs” she said. “We have done it only by working in a truly collaborative spirit across parties and patient interest groups, all of us motivated purely by a determination to see vastly improved prevention and care as well as research for a cure. Now we need to see action so that the huge challenge of diabetes for citizens and healthcare systems is properly met”.

“The political momentum resulting from the adoption of this Resolution and the Danish Presidency focus on chronic diseases with diabetes as a model will contribute to the advancement of EU and national policies addressing the diabetes epidemic and its increasing burden on national healthcare systems” stated Anne-Marie Felton, on behalf of the four ECD Co-Chairs. “We will do our utmost to maintain the momentum of this significant achievement by continuing to collaborate with the EU Diabetes Working Group Co-Chairs. We recognise and thank all MEPs for their support in securing the Resolution”.

The debate comes at a time of great institutional attention towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, especially following the United Nations Summit on NCDs held in September 2011, when UN member states pledged their commitment to address the global NCD crisis and which MEPs backed by passing a Resolution urging effective EU action.

On 14 March, the European Parliament specifically called on the Commission to develop and implement a targeted EU strategy on diabetes prevention, diagnosis, management, education and research, and on EU governments to develop and implement national programmes. With this Resolution, the European Parliament testified to the need to take real action to tackle the diabetes epidemic, for EU patients as well as for all EU citizens.

Indeed, diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases estimated to affect more than 32 million EU citizens, i.e. nearly 10% of the total EU population, and to be responsible for over 10% of national healthcare expenditure. The prevalence of diabetes is predicted to increase by 17% by 2030 across all age groups in Europe. Inevitably the burden on healthcare systems will rise as well. Much can be done to avoid Type 2 diabetes, which is a preventable disease and for which risk factors have been identified. However, the disease is frequently diagnosed too late and cannot be cured, leading to serious complications and even death. Type 1 diabetes is also on the increase, affecting children at an early age with devastating long term consequences; this kind of diabetes can also lead to serious forms of discrimination. Greater support is needed for research into both Types of diabetes.

_____________________________________________

Note to the Editor:

The European Coalition for Diabetes (ECD) gathers together four organisations, the Alliance for European Diabetes Research (EURADIA), the Foundation of European Nurses in Diabetes (FEND), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF Europe) and Primary Care Diabetes Europe (PCDE), which are devoted to improving the prevention of diabetes and the health and quality of life of European citizens living with diabetes by influencing EU policy.

The EU Diabetes Working Group (EUDWG) is a cross-party and cross-national group of MEPs with particular interest in diabetes. The EUDWG in the European Parliament represents the best interests of all people with diabetes in Europe and provides dedicated support and advice to the diabetes community on driving policy change.

European Coalition for Diabetes (ECD) – www.ecdiabetes.eu

EU Diabetes Working Group (EUDWG) – www.ecdiabetes.eu/EUDWG.html

_____________________________________________

For media enquiries:

Katie Gallagher, ECD Secretariat

Tel: +32 (0)2 6392092

E-mail: secretariat@ecdiabetes.eu

ECD Secretariat

European Coalition for Diabetes

tel +32 2639 2092 | gsm + 32 497 442739 | fax +32 (0)2 53 71 981

www.ecdiabetes.eu

Aims and Scope

Primary Care Diabetes is the official journal of Primary Care Diabetes Europe (PCDE). The journal publishes original research articles and high-quality reviews in the fields of clinical care, diabetes education, nutrition, health services, psychosocial research and epidemiology as far as is relevant for diabetology in a primary-care setting.

The purpose of the journal is to encourage interdisciplinary research and discussion between all those who are involved in primary diabetes care on an international level. The Journal also publishes news and articles concerning the policies and activities of PCDE and reflects the society’s aim of improving the care for people with diabetes mellitus within the primary-care setting.

Journal facts

• Owner : Primary Care Diabetes Europe (PCDE)
• Publisher : Elsevier Editor-in-Chief : Jaakko Tuomilehto
• Associate editors : Kamlesh Khunti, Neil Munro, K.M. Venkat Narayan
• Launch: September 2006
• Frequency : Quarterly
• Readership : 4300+ members of Primary Care Diabetes Europe ; 1000+ electronic library holdings.

Online Resources

• Primary Care Diabetes Journal: http://www.primary-care-diabetes.com/
• NEW Knowledge Resource Center : http://www.pcd-glucose-homeostasis.com/  (Associate Editor : Eugene Hughes)
• MEDLINE indexed: http://www.glycosmedia.com/
• The online manuscript submission site for the journal is live at: http://ees.elsevier.com/pcd/

• ADA (American Diabetes Association), Pennsylvania  8-10 June  -  PCDE boardmembers attending
• EPCCS (European Primary Care Cardiovascular Society) Athens 6,7,8 September -PCDE boardmembers attending
• WONCA (World Family Doctors Association), Vienna 4-7 July, PCDE is Wonca Special Interest Group (WeSIG) , PCDE booth at Wonca
• EASD (European Association for the Study of Diabetes), Berlin 1-5 October, PCDE Booth  in Associations Village

PCDE 12th Int. Primary Care in Diabetes  Conference , Barcelona 26-27 October – PCDE stand alone conference
website + scientific program:  http://pcdeurope2012.semfyccongresos.com/scientific_programme

Over the past decade, there have been repeated calls for a more holistic approach to the way diabetes is prevented, cared for and managed across Europe. But what does this actually mean in practice and why have policy efforts to date failed in shifting towards this more holistic approach? A think piece addresses this very topic and offers some initial thoughts on what the priority areas may be to enable this shift at an EU and national context.

The document is intended as a think-piece, a document that may help encourage debate and discussion among all stakeholders engaged in trying to improve the lives of people living with diabetes, be they patient groups, carers, clinicians, policymakers or governments. Therefore, the authors would welcome all thoughts and comments on the document. Please send these to Suzanne Wait at Suzanne@shwhealth.co.uk.

Download Document

Please click to download the think piece.

 14 November 2011 – Across Europe more than 52.8 million people have diabetes. By 2030 this figure will rise to 64 million – which is equal to 9.5% of the adult population. Europe is home to the highest prevalence of children living with type 1 diabetes.

 The International Diabetes Federation-European Region (IDF Europe), the Foundation of European Nurses in Diabetes (FEND), Primary Care Diabetes Europe (PCDE) and the European Alliance for Research in Diabetes (EURADIA) have produced an audit – which now covers 47 countries – to further document the diabetes epidemic and the disparate national policies and practices that currently exist across the European region.

 “As this publication shows, progress has been registered by European policymakers. But if we are to fight diabetes effectively we need to put our heads together and increase efforts at the EU level to adopt a concerted strategy for diabetes. We have called on the European Commission to develop such a strategy” MEP Simon Busuttil, Co-chair EU Diabetes Working Group.

 According to the report, the developments in diabetes services are still too slow. This audit provides strong evidence for the urgent need to address diabetes through targeted policy action. The research carried out reveals a number of compelling trends including a growing cost burden of diabetes equal to 9% of the country’s total healthcare expenditure, a low uptake of National Diabetes Plans (NDPs) with only 25 countries out of the 47 countries having a NDP put in place and restricted and insufficient access to care.

Furthermore, in the low to middle income European countries, economic problems are often compounded by the instability of government institutions and governance which lead to inadequate provision of health care, access and availability of essential medicines and basic services for people with diabetes. In this time of financial turmoil, European governments cannot afford to cut back on access to essential care. Insufficient or inadequate diabetes care inevitably leads to costly complications and poorer health outcomes that negatively impact those individuals directly affected, as well as their surroundings and society as a whole.

 The report makes numerous conclusions and recommendations and calls upon national governments and international institutions to acknowledge the findings of the Policy Puzzle, take action and help improve the lives of millions of people with diabetes across Europe.

 “The third edition of the Policy Puzzle survey indicates the increasing prevalence of diabetes amongst European citizens, the disparity of services and deficiency of national plans for diabetes. This is a final call for solidarity and leadership.” Anne Marie Felton, President of the Foundation of Nurses in Diabetes and Co-Chair of the European Coalition for Diabetes.

 The authoring organisations share the conviction that providing sustained and comparative documentary evidence on the epidemic levels and diabetes care across the European region will help provide the necessary basis for governments and health providers to deal with this epidemic urgently.

 “Since the first policy puzzle in 2005 there has been some progress by European policy makers in addressing the diabetes epidemic but nevertheless, the numbers of people with diabetes have continued to rise and further urgent action is needed.” Chris J. Delicata, President of IDF Europe and Co-Chair of the European Coalition for Diabetes.

 Note to editors:

 What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (the hormone that regulates blood glucose), or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Poorly managed diabetes results in hyperglycaemia (raised blood glucose), which over time causes damage to blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. Diabetes related complications include cardiovascular disease, retinopathy (impaired vision and blindness), nephropathy (kidney disease) and amputations.

 More information about the authoring organisations:

 EURADIA: As a unique alliance of NGOs and pharmaceutical companies, EURA­DIA’s mission is to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes both now and in the future, through advocacy of diabetes research in Europe and by shaping the allocation of resources for diabetes research through increased awareness. www.euradia.org/

 FEND is a non-governmental organisation which has established a unique voice for nurses working in the field of diabetes care, research and education in Europe. www.fend.org/

 IDF Europe is a non-governmental organisation advocating for people with diabetes and their healthcare providers. We work together with our member associations to promote diabetes prevention and care. www.idf.org/regions/europe

 PCDE is a non-governmental organization which provides a focal point for primary care clinicians and their people with diabetes. Its purpose is to promote high standards of care for people living with diabetes throughout Europe. Emphasis is placed on incorporating evidence-based medicine into daily practice as well as promoting diabetes education and research in primary care. www.pcdeurope.org/

 For further information or a hard copy of the Diabetes Policy Puzzle contact the International Diabetes Federation European Region | IDF Europe at idfeurope@idf-europe.org

Electronic copies may be downloaded from www.idf.org/regions/europe

My Diabetes, My Choice, My Path seeks to highlight to you the things which are known to prevent or reduce your risk of complications of type 2 diabetes and improve your general health and well-being.

It doesn’t have all the answers or make your decisions for you. But it can support you as you think about your diabetes, consider your goals, check out other sources of information and plan for the kind of life you want to live – beyond your diabetes.

I hope you find it helpful.

Finally, I have to thank the members of the Editorial Advisory Board who gave freely of their time, experience and enthusiasm for this project.

Professor Anthony Barnett

My Diabetes – My Choice

Pdf for downloading:   My Diabetes – My Choice

11 October 2011, European Parliament, Brussels

Meeting Report

Meeting report EUDWG

• 110427_IHDPC abstractbook
• Abstract Book