Message from Ann Keeling, CEO, IDF

A year beyond expectations

2011 has undoubtedly been a landmark year for diabetes, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and global health more broadly. I am proud that the International Diabetes Federation and our over 200 member associations have led every step of the way – from the frontline of service delivery to advocacy in the corridors of power. Together, we have made significant strides in turning the tide on diabetes.

We have worked tirelessly to strengthen and disseminate the evidence base for diabetes. Our innovative fifth edition of the Diabetes Atlas, which we launched on World Diabetes Day and promoted at our World Diabetes Congress in Dubai, provides authoritative evidence for action for health professionals, scientists, policy makers and international agencies. Read more.

Record breaking in Dubai

A total of 15,100 participants attended the World Diabetes Congress (WDC) 2011 in Dubai, making this Congress the largest in IDF history. This reflects a 20% increase on the previous IDF Congress held in 2009 in Montreal. Delegates from over 172 countries took part in numerous scientific sessions from December 4-8 and showcased their organisations at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center. Congress speakers totalled 1,500, the highest number of speakers ever at an IDF Congress.

Global Diabetes Forum acts for a healthier future

Senior representatives from the private sector and government joined with diabetes experts on the eve of the World Diabetes Congress to identify practical solutions to address the diabetes epidemic. Building on the momentum of the UN High Level Meeting on NCDs, the first Global Diabetes Forum brought together 140 leaders to discuss a range of actions from creating healthy workplaces to building effective partnerships to drive the international response to diabetes. Headlines identified at the meeting will be consolidated into a document called the Dubai Blueprint and fed into the World Economic Forum at Davos in January.

President's awards in Dubai

Past IDF Presidents were acknowledged during an Evening with the President at the World Diabetes Congress. Jean Claude Mbanya, IDF President, presented awards to the following past Presidents: Professor Jasbir S. Bajaj; Ms María de Alva; Professor Jak Jervell; Professor Pierre Lefèbvre; Professor Martin Silink and Professor Sir George Alberti. IDF Board member Wim Wientjens and Member Association President Carlton Phillips were acknowledged for their courage in facing diabetes and Professor Stephen Colagiuri for his active role within IDF. La Fondation Haïtienne de Diabète et de Maladies Cardio-Vasculaires was also recognised for its services to people with diabetes in emergency circumstances.

Reaching new heights in diabetes leadership

The IDF World Congress in Dubai was the staging ground for the first international Young Leaders in Diabetes leadership training programme. 85 young people with type 1 diabetes, 20 to 30 years of age, representing 55 countries from all around the world, participated in this programme. During the Congress, Alex Silverstein from the UK was elected as the Young Leaders in Diabetes President, Keegan Hall from South Africa as the President Elect and Sanaa Ajmal from Pakistan as the Vice President. The mission of the programme is to become the key driver in enhancing the lives of young people with diabetes. For more on the Young Leaders meeting in Dubai, click here.                                                        

D-NET 2011

On December 4, IDF brought over 140 health care professionals and members of D-NET together for an interactive diabetes education workshop– D-NET 2011, in Dubai. This was an opportunity for members of D-NET to meet, share their experiences and plan the future of the network. Anne Belton and Trish Dunning, co-chairs of the Diabetes Education Consultative Section of IDF led the workshop. The group was encouraged to share the challenges they face as diabetes health professionals, their solutions and best practices. New initiatives, topics and proposals for improving D-NET in the coming two years were some of the meeting outcomes.

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Reflections on WDC 2011

Cherise Shockley, founder of Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (DSMA) shares with us her reflections on the World Diabetes Congress.

The World Diabetes Congress 2011 was motivational, inspiring and educational.  I have never left a conference feeling so ready to take action and hungry for change for the global diabetes community. Prior to the Diabetes Congress, I knew diabetes was a global epidemic but to physically hear stories from Health Care Providers and patients was heart-breaking and a reality check. Read more.

BRIDGES: Making research count

BRIDGES has released its first ever activity report . The programme was launched in 2007 and now covers 29 projects in 24 countries. Jean Claude Mbanya, Professor Ayesha Motala of the BRIDGES committee and Dr David Kendall of Lilly Diabetes presented the new publication during a press conference at the World Diabetes Congress (see photo). BRIDGES is an IDF programme, supported by an educational grant from Lilly Diabetes. Translational research projects aim to take or “translate” lessons learned from clinical research to those who can benefit the most – people affected by diabetes.

New Centres of Education announced

Two new institutions have been chosen as IDF Centres of Education. The Chinese University of Hong Kong -the Prince of Wales Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Centre and the Diabetes Centre of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and University of Sydney have successfully completed the rigorous application process. They will now join the IDF network of centres recognized for their health care professional education, research and clinical practice. There are currently a total of eight Centres of Education worldwide. Find out more about education at IDF here.

Dubai Dialogue

The Dubai Dialogue was the finale of the new Global Challenges in Health stream of debates and symposia that focused on key issues for diabetes communication.  The Dialogue was designed as a forum for Congress attendees to come together to discuss in their own languages and with others from their region how to raise diabetes awareness. Topics covered included the importance of stakeholder engagement, and how IDF could expand its reach to a broader audience. Participants discussed how various stakeholders including the media, scientists and parliamentarians could be engaged in the fight against diabetes and could tackle local issues in a cross-sectorial way.

New Guidelines released

IDF launched three sets of new Guidelines all available on the IDF website:

• 2011 Guidelines for Management of PostMeal Glucose in Diabetes (also available in print)
• Global IDF/ISPAD Guideline for Diabetes in Childhood and Adolescence (also available in print)
• Treatment algorithm for people with type 2 diabetes

Coordinated by the IDF Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines, these guidelines form an essential component of achieving quality diabetes care for all people with diabetes.

Qatar in the spotlight

This quarter, Dr. Abdulla Al-Hamaq introduces us to the Qatar Diabetes Association and its achievements so far.

Could you describe your association in a few words?
The Qatar Diabetes Association member of Qatar Foundation was established as a charitable, non-profit organization in 1995. The Association – Qatar Foundation leads efforts in Qatar and the Middle East to promote the prevention, care and management of diabetes. Read more.

Turning the world blue

On November 14, millions of people united for World Diabetes Day. More than 200 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation in over 160 countries and thousands of other dedicated organizations and individuals organised events and joined together to make the day a special one.

Some of the highlights include:
• Over 700 blue lightings in 62 countries
• 56 diabetes flash mobs in 51 cities in 27 countries
• Over 500 events and activities from more than 100 countries registered on the World Diabetes Day website

For more highlights please visit the WDD site or visit the World Diabetes Day Flickr gallery. For a chance to see some of the WDD flash mobs performed around the world click here.

Get GI savvy

As part of IDF’s World Diabetes Day 2009-2013 campaign on diabetes education and prevention, IDF has produced a tool to raise awareness of the Glycaemic Index. The tool consists of an interactive online application that displays a variety of foods, divided by food group, with an indication of their respective GI values and whether the food causes a slow, medium or rapid rise in blood glucose levels.The application also includes a food plate which displays the various nutritional components that constitute a healthy and well-balanced diet.

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