TYPE 2 DIABETES: A PREVENTABLE CATASTROPHE?
Despite the progress in the understanding and treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), in Europe, more than one million people living with T2D die prematurely each year, due to potentially preventable complications of their condition. This is the equivalent of three jumbo jets crashing every single day – a catastrophe no-one would ever accept. And yet, when it comes to the premature death of one million people living with T2D, there is no international outcry and no sense of urgency to act.
We know that this catastrophe can be averted and that life-altering complications can be delayed or prevented by identifying, diagnosing and treating people early. Why are we not acting? Why are we not putting evidence into practice?
To reduce the burden of T2D on individuals, healthcare systems and society, we need to overhaul existing models of care and adopt a holistic approach to T2D that incorporates all strategies available today to provide the best quality of care to people living with diabetes (PwD).
Empowering PwD and placing them at the centre of their care, improving access to diabetes education, peer support programmes, disease-modifying medications and technologies as well as strengthening primary care, are all crucial to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people living with T2D.
We need immediate, concerted and radical change to re-design our healthcare systems, to integrate evidence into practice and to remove the barriers that are preventing the effective prevention and management of T2D and are leading to an unacceptable number of people experiencing a loss in quality of life and dying prematurely.
IDF EUROPE YOUTH PLATFORM
IDF Europe Youth Leadership Lab (YLL): opening session and online workshop
In preparation for the upcoming Youth Leadership Camp 2023, IDF Europe organised two online events.
During the opening session on June 7, participants had the chance to get to know each other and to meet with leaders from IDF Europe, the hosts of this year’s camp from the Bulgarian Diabetes Association, the mentors who will be guiding their journey during the camp and representatives of the YLL sponsors and partners, FEND, Lilly Diabetes and Medtronic.
During the second online event on June 17, participants were introduced to the group projects on which they will be working during the camp. One group started to explore the role of young advocates in driving policy changes, while another started researching the potential of new diabetes technologies in ensuring “Health for All” – the overarching theme of our #YLL2023
It was great to already see such enthusiasm before the camp which will take place soon, on July 9-15, in Bankya, Bulgaria. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there!
MEMBER NEWS
The Fédération Française des Diabétiques calls for an ambitious national strategy for food, nutrition and climate
The French government recently announced the publication of a National Strategy for Food, Nutrition and Climate for the summer of 2023 (SNANC). This SNANC is a critical tool to help address some of today’s and tomorrow’s challenges including the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes.
The Fédération Française des Diabétiques (FFD), a member of IDF Europe, and a group of 85 environmental, consumer, health and solidarity organisations, co-signed an open letter to the French Prime Minister and published a joint statement, to ask for the SNANC to be ambitious and truly meet the current and future ecological, social and public health challenges.
Read more about FFD’s call to action here
IDF Europe joins forces with the Portuguese Diabetes Association and the French Diabetes Federation to explore the role of plant-based diets for better health outcomes for people with diabetes
IDF Europe, together with the Portuguese Diabetes Association (APDP) and the FFD is taking part in an 18-month project funded by the Healthy Food Healthy Planet initiative, to explore and promote the role of plant-based diets in the management of diabetes, through sustainable healthy diets, with the integration of the concept of territorial diets, like the Mediterranean and Nordic diets. The project will involve PwD, healthcare professionals (HCPs) and policymakers to gather scientific evidence, co-create solutions and educational materials to promote the adoption of plant-based diets for better management of T2D and improved health outcomes for Europeans with diabetes and pre-diabetes.
To gather evidence, assess the needs of all stakeholders and inform the project’s co-design solutions, the first national expert workshop took place in Paris, France on June 1, 2023.
Read more here
IDF EUROPE NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
IDF Europe Hybrid Event - “Type 2 Diabetes: a preventable catastrophe?”
On June 6, 2023, IDF Europe held a hybrid event in Media Partnership with EURACTIV to officially launch its new publication, “Type 2 Diabetes: a preventable catastrophe?”.
During the event, panellists representing academia, HCPs, people living with T2D, industry and policy makers discussed why we urgently need to re-design our healthcare systems across Europe and remove the barriers that are preventing early and tight management of T2D and its associated risk factors.
We wish to thank our incredible panellists and everyone who participated in the event and contributed to its success.
Breakfast debate at the European Parliament on European collaborative effort in diabetes research
On June 7, IDF Europe supported the Breakfast debate at the European Parliament on European collaborative effort in diabetes research, hosted by MEP Dan Nica and organised by JDRF and the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI).
During the event, the speakers stressed the importance of fostering research and collaboration to advance diabetes care and ultimately find a cure.
Involving PwD in research, improving access to data and educating and communicating about the importance of diabetes research to increase funding, are all key to stimulate innovation, improve PwD’s lives and foster healthcare systems’ resilience across Europe.
IDF Europe Board Meeting in Athens
On June 10-11, IDF Europe’s Board Members met in Athens to review the organisation’s activities and strategy for the coming months and plan the next Regional Council which will take place in Belgrade, Serbia, on November 25-26.
In Athens, the Board also met with representatives from our member associations in Greece, Dr. Anastasia Mavrogiannaki, President of the Hellenic Diabetes Association, Ms Theofaneia Tsachalina, Vice-President of the Hellenic Diabetes Federation (ELODI) and Mr Christos Daramilas, President of the Panhellenic Federation of People with Diabetes, who shared insights into the activities of their respective associations.
IDF Europe Symposium at EASD 2023: “Erase Diabetes Together”
During the 59th EASD Annual Meeting on October 2-6, IDF Europe will hold a symposium on how to mobilise PwD, HCPs and policy makers to lower the risk of diabetes and its complications.
During the event, which will be chaired and moderated by Prof. João Raposo, Medical Director at APDP – Diabetes Portugal and IDF Europe Board Member, speakers representing the perspective of various diabetes stakeholders will share their insights on collaborative efforts to halt the rise in the number of people living with the condition and the development of diabetes-related complications.
The Symposium will take place on October 5, from 14:00-15:30 CEST, at the Chicago Hall, Hamburg Exhibition and Congress, Germany.
Learn more about the EASD programme and how to register here
Discover IDF Europe's Country Profiles!
As part of our Centenary of Insulin Campaign 2021-2024, IDF Europe is developing a series of country profiles that provide a snapshot of diabetes care in each European country. Until the end of the campaign, country profiles will be published monthly. This information will help map the status of diabetes care across Europe and identify best practices as well as areas where access to diabetes care can be improved.
IDF Europe Twinning Programme
We are delighted to announce that the IDF Europe twinning programme will continue in 2023. We are currently supporting six of our member associations to establish strategic collaborations and work on common projects that can help them grow their capacity by building on their national expertise.
We are looking forward to seeing each collaboration take shape and to helping our members maximise the impact of their activities by connecting, giving and receiving support.
If your association should like to be considered for the twinning programme, please contact martina.boccardo@idf-europe.org.
Learn more about the programme on our website.
IDF EUROPE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION WORK
World Refugee Day 2023
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, IDF Europe joined UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in celebrating refugees' contribution to our communities and raised awareness of the need to ensure that all refugees living with diabetes have uninterrupted access to all diabetes medicines, supplies and devices that they require to achieve optimal health outcomes and quality of life.
When arriving in a new country, refugees can face many obstacles. For PwD, it also means challenges in accessing and navigating new healthcare and social systems, switching to different types of insulin, diabetes medicines and management devices, and adapting to new diets and lifestyles. All of which can have a huge impact on diabetes management and health outcomes.
IDF Europe’s contribution to the European Commission's proposal to revise driving licences
On May 31, IDF Europe submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s proposal to revise the current directive on driving licences.
The current directive requires PwD to undergo a medical re-assessment of their driving ability every five years. The new proposal takes into account the latest technological and medical developments, which allow for an improved management of diabetes, and includes the extension of the validity of PwD’s driving licences to 10 years.
The proposal is currently being examined by the European Parliament and is scheduled to be adopted in February/March 2024 into plenary session.
Read IDF Europe’s contribution here
Prof. Raposo’s intervention on the prevention of NCDs at the SANT committee hearing on June 1
On June 1, Prof. João Raposo, APDP Medical Director and IDF Europe Board member, contributed as an expert to the SANT committee hearing on “Preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs)” which will support the development of the Committee’s own initiative (INI) Report on NCDs, planned to be completed by the end of August.
During his presentation, Prof. Raposo explained the importance of primordial and primary prevention, as well as the complexity of diabetes management. He further stressed the fact that "diabetes can work as a clear marker of the resilience of our healthcare systems and societies".
NEWS FROM EUROPE
WHO/Europe: Population health management in primary healthcare
As part of its Primary Health Care Policy Paper series, WHO/Europe recently published a policy paper titled "Population health management in primary health care: a proactive approach to improve health and well-being". This publication aims to provide information on population health management that can help strengthen primary healthcare.
By adopting a data-driven, patient-focused, and proactive strategy and by addressing social determinants of health and psychosocial needs, population health management enables targeted interventions that cater to the diverse needs of different groups and individuals.
The publication includes country examples from the WHO European Region outlining how population health management is used in primary healthcare.
Read more here
The diabetes community loses an esteemed member in Sarah Hills
It is with deep regret that we have learned that Sarah Hills passed away in April 2023.
Sarah was the Executive Director of the Alliance for European Diabetes Research (EURADIA), an alliance of organisations working for diabetes research including academic and clinical researchers, HCPs and patient groups. She dedicated most of her working life to promoting diabetes research across Europe and was instrumental in fostering closer collaboration between major diabetes stakeholders. Sarah will be sorely missed by the entire diabetes community.
Read more here
Priorities of the Spanish Presidency at the Council of the European Union
On July 1, Spain took over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months. Some of the key priorities of the Spanish presidency will be to boost the culture of prevention and health promotion in the EU, reinforce the capacities of health systems and develop new community strategies in pathologies prevalent in Europe. The Spanish government also announced that special attention will be paid to mental health and childhood obesity.
Read more here
WHO/Europe and the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) sign new memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration for better health and well-being in Europe
On June 30, during a ceremony attended by WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, and WHO/Europe and EPHA Director General, Dr. Milka Sokolović, WHO/Europe and EPHA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen their partnership.
EPHA represents public health actors, health professionals and civil society organisations such as IDF Europe. The newly agreed collaboration will foster knowledge sharing and facilitate WHO/Europe’s engagement in relevant initiatives and platforms to address key health challenges and drive positive change across Europe and is in line with EPHA’s role to advocate for better health for all.
Read more here
EU-FUNDED PROJECTS
Trials@Home webinar introducing the next phase of the project
IDF Europe is a consortium member of the EU-funded research project, Trials@Home, which aims to reshape clinical trial design, conduct and operations, by developing and piloting standards, recommendations and tools for the definition and operationalization of decentralized clinical trials in Europe.
On June 21, IDF Europe Director, Strategy and Policy, Sabine Dupont, participated in a webinar introducing the next phase of the project and discussed the way the project was co-created with PwD, notably through the role of the Patient Expert Panel (PEP). The PEP was established to facilitate the engagement of PwD and to ensure that their experiences, needs and preferences are heard across all phases and aspects of the project.
DigiCare4You first newsletter edition
IDF Europe is part of the DigiCare4You Horizon 2020 project which aims to improve the early prevention and management of T2D and hypertension (HTN). The project’s overall objective is to assess the scalability and transferability of an intersectoral, innovative person-centred solution involving digital tools, aimed at empowering families and integrating community care services in Europe for the prevention and management of T2D and HTN.
The first edition of the DigiCare4You newsletter was published in June 2023.
The newsletter provides an overview of the project, the main milestones achieved over the past months and a description of the next steps.
MMD ACTIVITIES
MEP Kateřina Konečná initiates an EP written question following the Commission’s response to the Diabetes Resolution text
In the beginning of June, MEP Kateřina Konečná, member of the MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes interest group (MMD) and Greens rapporteur for the 2022 Diabetes Resolution submitted, in collaboration with other MEP supporters and IDF Europe, a European Parliament written question to the European Commission, concerning its response to the Resolution text on March 8, 2023.
The MEPs set out to learn:
If the Commission will present a diabetes plan, with coordinated milestones, targets and an implementation roadmap, in order to meet these targets
How the Commission is planning to address the request to improve the lives of the 32 million PwD in the EU, who are at risk of developing severe complications such as cardiovascular diseases and some cancers
What steps the Commission is taking to ensure the meaningful engagement of citizens, notably people living with diabetes and other chronic diseases, and civil society organisations to build a stronger European Health Union.
We want to sincerely thank all the MMD members and other supporting MEPs who co-signed the question!
Read more here
UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS EUROPE
Ninth edition of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) Influenza Conference
Valencia, September 17-20, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 59th Annual Meeting
Hamburg, October 2-6, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
IDF Europe Symposium at EASD – Erase Diabetes Together
Hamburg, October 5, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC73)
Astana, Kazakhstan, October 24-26, 2023| For more information, visit the website here
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2023 Virtual Congress - Diabetes Complications and Diabetes in Crisis
Online, December 4-7, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
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