TRANSFORMING LIFE WITH DIABETES – LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND
Each year on November 14 we mark World Diabetes Day (WDD) – an opportunity to celebrate our community and bring people together to raise awareness of diabetes and advocate for better prevention, care and support, reflecting on the progress still needed to ensure that everyone living with diabetes can live long, fulfilling lives.
Despite continued advances in diabetes care, many unmet needs persist. One in three people living with diabetes (PwD) remain undiagnosed, access to new therapies and technologies is unequal across countries and too often opportunities for early detection and prevention of diabetes and its complications are missed. Additionally, the strong link between diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and other chronic conditions, highlights the need for shared solutions to tackle their common risk factors and provide effective treatment and support.
This WDD, IDF Europe is joining forces with partners, PwD, healthcare professionals (HCPs) and policy makers to celebrate the day through a series of events and initiatives inspired by our new vision: "From early detection to cure – transforming life with diabetes through innovation, leaving no one behind". Together, we will explore key topics including mental health, the unique needs of women living with diabetes, prevention, early detection and the connections between diabetes, obesity and CVD. We will also highlight the importance of ensuring uninterrupted access to medicines and technologies, revamping our healthcare systems and advancing research into unmet needs in diabetes including its causes, progression and long-term impact.
Continue reading our October newsletter to explore our WDD activities, learn more about our work and join us in raising awareness of diabetes.
YOUTH PLATFORM
The sound of diabetes
Members of our YOURAH network of young diabetes advocates created the video “The Sound of Diabetes,” which shines a light on the everyday challenges faced by young PwD. Through moments captured from their daily lives, the video highlights the impact of diabetes on mental health and the challenges they navigate each day.
The message at the heart of this video will be explored during an event co-designed with YOURAH members, which will take place on November 12 at the European Parliament in Brussels and online.
MEMBER NEWS
Highlights from the Slovenian Diabetes Association
Over the past few months, the Slovenian Diabetes Association organised a series of events bringing together healthcare professionals (HCPs), PwD and the public to raise awareness of diabetes, promote healthy lifestyles and advocate for improved diabetes care.
From the ‘Alojz Rudolf Memorial Hike’ to the ‘Sweet Forum – My Sweetest Victory’ and the youth-focused ‘Live a Sweet (Life)!’ programme, these events showcased the power of movement, knowledge and community in fostering a healthier society.
Polish Senate Health Committee meeting on diabetes care
On October 23, IDF Europe took part in a meeting of the Polish Senate Health Committee on access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for PwD, alongside members and representatives of its Member Associations, the Polskie Stowarzyszenie Diabetykow and the Polskie Towarzystwo Diabetologiczne.
Sabine Dupont, IDF Europe’s Director of Strategy & Policy, and members and representatives from both associations emphasised the fact that expanding access to CGM can empower PwD, support better self-management, lower the risk of diabetes-related complications and improve their quality of life.
IDF EUROPE NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
IDF Europe at the JACARDI General Assembly
On October 14, IDF Europe Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont, attended the JACARDI (Joint Action for CVD & DIAbetes) General Assembly in Madrid, where she joined a roundtable discussion on strengthening collaboration in diabetes and CVD prevention and management. She emphasised the important role of patient and civil society organisations in shaping effective responses.
During the JACARDI Work Package 9 side event, Elisabeth co-hosted a roundtable on non-scientific communication with JACARDI Communications Specialist, Ágnes Makai. Pilot teams exchanged insights and strategies to enhance communication around their local projects.
Learn about the Heart & Kidney Health Alliance
The Heart & Kidney Care Alliance (H&KCA), supported by Bayer, is a collaborative network of people living with CVD, kidney disease and diabetes, offering support to others on similar care pathways.
The H&KCA gathers educational resources and inspiring stories from people with lived experience, including diabetes advocates from the IDF Europe network – Uroš Bogdanović, Mateja Štembal and Kostas Tagkalos.
Event report: IDF Europe symposium on integrated care
On September 18, IDF Europe held a symposium on Integrated Care during the 61st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). The session brought together people living with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), HCPs and public health experts to discuss why integrated care is essential to support PwD in managing this complex condition, and how we can overcome fragmented health systems and scale integrated care solutions.
The event report captures key insights and takeaways from the event, including the importance of empowering PwD and equipping HCPs with the right tools and skills to deliver effective integrated care.
IDF Europe at the WHO Regional Committee for Europe
The 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe took place in Copenhagen, Denmark from October 28-30. IDF Europe Chair Elect, Prof. João Raposo, Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont and Project Coordinator, Cameron Keighron, joined the event and contributed oral and written statements the following agenda items:
8. Child and adolescent health and well-being
9. Harnessing innovation for public health
10. Promoting a lifetime of health and well-being (healthy ageing)
12. Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
IDF EUROPE WORLD DIABETES DAY ACTIVITIES 2025
Each year, November 14 marks World Diabetes Day – a key opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes and the policy actions that are needed to ensure the well-being of PwD and those at risk. This year, IDF Europe will host a series of events under the umbrella of our vision: “From early detection to cure – transforming life with diabetes through innovation, leaving no one behind.”
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Hybrid event: “The sound of diabetes” On November 12, from 8:00-9:30, during an event hosted by MEP Peter Agius and co-created with members of our YOURAH network, we will address the mental health challenges faced by people living with T1D. Three panels will discuss the importance of integrating mental health into diabetes care, tackling stigma and discrimination in schools and workplaces, and the role of sport in mental well-being for people living with T1D. The event takes place at the European Parliament in Brussels and can also be followed online. 
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Towards a sex- & gender-sensitive strategy in diabetes On November 13, from 13:30-15:30, MEPs Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral and Sirpa Pietikäinen will host an event at the European Parliament in Brussels – “Towards a sex- and gender-sensitive strategy in diabetes: understanding women’s health across the life course”. Bringing together policy and diabetes stakeholders, the session will explore the specific health challenges women face at each stage of life when living with a chronic condition such as diabetes – highlighting the need for a comprehensive women’s health strategy. 
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Mobile health unit event: “Know your numbers”
On November 12-14 (9:00–17:00), IDF Europe will set up a mobile health unit in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, offering free health checks to help people understand their risk for diabetes, CVD and obesity. The initiative aims to raise awareness of diabetes and related conditions, highlighting the importance of prevention, early detection and timely treatment to ensure effective management and reduce the risk of serious complications.
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“T1D and CVD: from data to solutions” Also, on November 14 IDF Europe, BreakthroughT1D and ISPAD (International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes), will host an event in Brussels focusing on the need for targeted CVD prevention and treatment strategies for people living with T1D. The event will outline unmet medical needs for PwD – highlighting that despite innovations in T1D management and care, significant gaps remain in the evidence and recommendations for cardioprotective therapies. Together, we will explore how research can drive solutions for better T1D care. |
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Global Parliamentary Advocacy Forum On November 14–16, the Global Parliamentary Advocacy Forum, organised by the Parliamentarians for Diabetes Global Network (PDGN) in collaboration with the Government of Malta, the Maltese Diabetes Association, #dedoc, IDF and IDF Europe, will bring together global and national leaders in Malta to develop legislative solutions to improve the lives of PwD. IDF Europe will be represented by Regional Chair-Elect, Prof. João Raposo, and Board Member, Dr. Sufyan Hussain, who will give a presentation on screening and early detection of T1D and the role of advocacy in driving innovation, respectively. |
UNDERSTANDING DIABETES
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World Elders Day On World Elders Day (October 1), we raised awareness of diabetes as a lifelong condition whose management in later life requires person-centred care adapted to each individual’s changing medical, psychological, functional and social needs. Older adults often face multiple health challenges and rely on coordinated support from caregivers and healthcare teams. Ensuring safe, effective and dignified care means embedding diabetes within broader NCD strategies, supporting caregivers with training and mental health resources, and promoting research and innovation that reflect the realities of ageing. 
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World Food Day On World Food Day (October 6), we highlighted the role of food systems in shaping the health of people living with, or at risk of, diabetes. Access to healthy, nutritious foods is influenced by environmental, social and commercial factors. Limited availability of fresh produce, food deserts and the marketing of ultra-processed foods create barriers to healthy diets, making T2D prevention and management more challenging. Building equitable and sustainable food systems requires better access to nutritious foods, clear information and healthier choices. 
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World Mental Health Day On October 10, we marked World Mental Health Day by highlighting the importance of mental health support for PwD. Managing diabetes requires daily self-management, which can place a significant burden on mental health. Over time, this can lead to challenges such as depression, anxiety, diabetes distress and burnout – all of which can affect quality of life and make diabetes management more difficult. Healthcare systems should integrate mental health support into standard diabetes care by training professionals to recognise and address mental health needs, ensuring equitable access to psychological support and strengthening peer support networks. 
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World Sight Day On October 9, we celebrated World Sight Day by raising awareness of the importance of regular eye care for PwD. Diabetes-related retinopathy is a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Regular screening and timely treatment can protect both vision and quality of life, yet in some countries access remains unequal due to workforce shortages, poor integration with primary care and low awareness about the importance of regular screening. Today, innovations such as AI-assisted retinal screening offer new opportunities to expand access, but must be implemented ethically and equitably to ensure no one is left behind. 
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HEALTH-RELATED NEWS
European Commission | The role of healthcare in reducing inequalities and poverty in the EU
A new report by the European Commission published under the EU4Health Action highlights the critical role of public healthcare coverage in reducing poverty and inequality across the EU. The report underscores the importance of strengthening evidence-based policymaking to build fairer, more resilient healthcare systems. Read more
EuroHealthNet | Social inequalities in health in the EU
A new EuroHealthNet report, developed with the CHAIN Centre for Health Equity Analytics, reveals stark social inequalities in health across Europe. Nearly one in three Europeans rate their health as fair or poor, with lower education groups twice as likely to experience poor health. The number of people living with chronic diseases, including diabetes, is rising, with many living with multiple long-term conditions. The report calls for a whole-of-government approach to address the social determinants of health and ensure equitable, high-quality health systems for all. Read more
European Commission | Statement by Commissioner Várhelyi on World Mental Health Day 2025
On World Mental Health Day, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Várhelyi, underscored mental health as a foundation for well-being and societal resilience, with particular attention to children, young people and HCPs. This year’s theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” highlights the importance of continuous and accessible mental health care, even during crises. Read more
READINGS ON DIABETES
Readings on Diabetes, presented to IDF Europe by Angelo Argenteri, MD, Maria Stella de Sabata, MA, and Andrea Ascoli Marchetti, MD, is a journey through the major diabetes milestones, one of the oldest and still most widespread diseases, with anecdotes, stories, historical facts and a very rich iconography.
Each month, the IDF Europe Newsletter presents a chapter from Readings on Diabetes, which can be downloaded in full here.
8. BOISSIER DE SAUVAGES AND THE SEVEN NAMES OF DIABETES
François Boissier de Sauvages de Lacroix (1706–1767) was a pioneering physician who applied the principles of botanical classification to medicine, creating one of the first systematic disease classifications.
In Chapter VIII of Nosologia Methodica, he explores diabetes in striking detail, identifying seven distinct types – ranging from sweet, honey-like urine in Anglian diabetes, to hysteria-linked cases, diet-related “wine diabetes” and forms associated with gout or fever. Each type came with its own symptoms, from muscle weakness to excessive thirst and weight loss.
Boissier’s work offers a fascinating glimpse into 18th-century medicine, revealing the early efforts to understand and classify a complex disease long before modern tools and knowledge.
Are you curious to learn about the long quest to understand diabetes? Explore this fascinating story in Chapter Eight of Readings on Diabetes.
EU RESEARCH PROJECTS
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ISLET project: engaging people with lived experience IDF Europe is part of ISLET, an EU-funded project seeking to generate islet cells to replace those destroyed in people living with T1D, enabling insulin production again. As part of our role in fostering PwD engagement within the project, a group of YOURAH advocates visited the Helmholtz Munich Diabetes Centre to meet and interview ISLET researchers. In one of these interviews, young scientists reflected on how engaging PwD helps ensure that innovations remain relevant, person-centred and grounded in real-world needs. 
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DigiCare4You process evaluation plan and tools We are proud of being part of the DigiCare4You Horizon 2020 project which aims to improve the early prevention and management of T2D and hypertension with the support of digital tools. Implementation and process evaluations are an integral part of health intervention trials. To assess the overall effectiveness of the DigiCare4You solution, a process evaluation plan and tools were developed to evaluate whether the programme was implemented as planned across the various levels and stages of the programme. 
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MOVEUP: understanding the role of physical activity in managing chronic conditions
IDF Europe is part of the Erasmus+ MOVEUP project, which aims to make physical activity more accessible to people living with T2D and other chronic conditions through sport that promotes fun, inclusive environments and supports better health.
As part of the project’s early activities, IDF Europe completed a literature review examining how physical activity and sport can contribute to improved health, well-being and quality of life for people living with chronic conditions. The review also explores approaches to support greater participation, identifying barriers, facilitators and good practices across Europe. These insights will inform the next phase of the project, supporting the development of tools and strategies to make physical activity more inclusive and sustainable for people living with chronic health conditions.
NEWS FROM TRIALS@HOME
Over the past years, IDF Europe has been part of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) project, Trials@Home, which explores the implementation of decentralised clinical trials (DCTs), where the trial is carried out remotely from participants’ homes to improve accessibility, representativeness, effectiveness and efficiency. By reducing the need for site visits, DCTs aim to enhance the overall trial experience for participants.
New course on Decentralised Clinical Trials
The Trials@Home consortium developed a training for people with lived experience and patient organisations to optimise understanding of DCTs in Europe.
This online training was created to introduce the concept of DCTs and explain how to design and conduct such trials.
Trials@Home Closing Event
On October 30-31, IDF Europe Director of Strategy & Policy, Sabine Dupont, and Members of the Expert Panel took part in the Trials@Home Annual Meeting and Closing Event in Utrecht.
During the meetings, Sabine and T2D advocate and PEP member, Erik Werson, presented the group’s work and emphasised the importance of formally involving people with lived experience in research initiatives such as Trials@Home. They also shared preliminary findings from a study within the project that explores the benefits, barriers and best practices for meaningful engagement of people with lived experience in research.
PEP Member, João Nabais, also participated in a panel discussing the project's final recommendations, with a focus on his part on patient preferences.
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