No images? Click here
IDF EUROPE WORLD DIABETES DAY SYMPOSIUM
In 2020, the World Diabetes Day campaign focused on promoting the role played by nurses in the prevention and management of diabetes. IDF Europe's Symposium on November 17 was hosted by MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen and MEP Christel Schaldemose, and moderated by Bastian Hauck, Board Member, IDF Europe.
After a warm welcome from the IDF Europe Chair, Dr. Niti Pall, Chair, Dr. Gottlobe Fabisch, Director of Verband der Diabetes-Beratungs- und Schulungsberufe in Deutschland e.V. (VDBD) gave a presentation on the role of diabetes educators in Germany and the important part they play in improving treatment outcomes and diabetes management, within multidisciplinary teams. At the national level, VBDB calls for accreditation of the profession by the federal state, for adequate recognition of their crucial role in diabetes care and for adequate remuneration.
Dr. Rita Forde, Foundation of European Nurses in Diabetes (FEND) Research Fellow, King’s College London, presented a survey conducted by FEND on ‘The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Diabetes Specialist Nurses in Europe’. Ms. Sabine Dupont, IDF Europe Senior Consultant, also presented the initial results of IDF Europe's survey on Diabetes and COVID-19. Both surveys displayed evidence that the pandemic caused severe disruptions in access to healthcare, a general deterioration of diabetes management, and a negative impact on the mental health of people living with diabetes.
The Symposium was also the opportunity to announce the re-establishment of the MEP Interest Group on Diabetes, co-chaired by MEPs Sirpa Pietikäinen and Christel Schaldemose, that will be formally launched in January 2021. The MEP Interest Group (MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes—MMD) will seek to improve diabetes management, care and risk reduction approaches, promote better (affordable) access to medicines and technologies, reduce health inequalities and eliminate discrimination.
To read more about our other WDD activities, please click through this link.
Member News - Share your World Diabetes Day initiatives with us!
Since July, IDF Europe has had a page on its website dedicated to showcasing Member News. Please check the World Diabetes Day activities of member associations, Slovenian Diabetes Association, SLODA (Slovenia), Macedonian Scientific Association of Endocrinologists and Diabetologists activities (North Macedonia) and FAND (Italy), and do not hesitate to share any information about your activities, events and initiatives!
Thank you for sending your news articles, pictures and information to news@idf-europe.org.
YOURAH #GetTogether EVENT
On November 29, members of the YOURAH network got together to look back on the 2020 youth initiatives and look forward to the future of YOURAH, with valued input from all the new and old members of the IDF Europe youth community. The virtual event started with a get-to-know-each-other activity. Then the Steering Committee introduced themselves and engaged with all participants in an interactive discussion about future plans and activities. A plan of activities to be implemented in 2021 will now be drafted, based on the input and feedback from YOURAH members.
IDF EUROPE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION WORK
On November 10, the Expert Group for Integrated Care and Digital Health Europe (EGIDE) presented its Policy Paper on ‘Putting people at the centre – Integrated care for chronic diseases in Europe’ during a webinar hosted by Pascal Arimont, Member of the European Parliament from the European People’s Party (EPP). During the webinar, EGIDE members discussed with EU policymakers ways to enable European healthcare systems to embrace integrated care models. Mr. Bastian Hauck, IDF Europe Board Member, was a panellist for the event. He underlined that the priority for people living with diabetes is to feel that they and their health are being taken care of and that integrated care models and digital tools can play an important role to achieve this priority. You can watch the webinar here.
On November 18, the WHO Regional Office for Europe hosted a webinar to launch a publication "Diabetic retinopathy screening: a short guide". The guide is part of an initiative that aims to improve DR screening throughout the course of life to increase effectiveness, maximize benefits and minimize harm. Prof. Dr. Sehnaz Karadeniz, former IDF Europe Chair, was a panellist for the event, and welcomed this new guidance on how to develop a screening strategy for diabetic retinopathy. Click here to find out more.
On November 25, the European Union (EU) released its ‘Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe’, a key document of the ‘European Health Union’ that calls for closer cooperation among EU Member States on health-related matters for more resilient health systems and better preparation for future crises. To know more about IDF Europe’s initial reaction to the Pharmaceutical Strategy and to read the full document click here.
In 2018, NHS England published ‘Language Matters’, a handbook aimed at healthcare professionals to inform them on how the use of incorrect and stigmatising language can lead to further discrimination of people living with diabetes. The document is already available in English and Spanish and has now been translated into French by Nina Tousch of Diabetopole and Léonor Marchand from Type1Family.
International Days are a great opportunity for IDF Europe to communicate on diabetes and to raise awareness. Click on the pictures to learn more about our initiatives.
|
European Online Week of Active and Healthy Ageing 
|
|
International Whole Grain Day 2020 
|
|
World Children's Day 2020 
|
COMING SOON...
IDF EUROPE'S "TRAVELLING AND DIABETES" AWARENESS PAPER
The ‘Travelling and Diabetes’ paper is part of a series of awareness papers published by IDF Europe on different aspects of life with diabetes. Although travelling is currently restricted and especially ill-advised for people living with diabetes due to the COVID-19 crisis, we hope that this paper will prove useful for future, post-pandemic trips. Inside you will find everything you may need to consider and prepare when you are planning to travel as a person living with diabetes.
Please confirm that you are still happy to hear from us!
We at IDF Europe are delighted to share our news with all our stakeholders, but we need your consent to receive our monthly newsletter.
