ACCELERATING ACTION ON DIABETES
November is ‘Diabetes Awareness Month’. This month represents an opportunity for the diabetes community to come together to raise awareness of the impact of diabetes and remind governments and other stakeholders of the need to accelerate action to improve the prevention and management of diabetes and its complications for better quality of life and health outcomes for all.
This year, November will be even busier than usual. As well as the Anniversary of the European Parliament Resolution on Diabetes adopted last year on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, we will again be organising blood glucose testing sessions at many European Commission buildings and, at the end of the month, will be holding a High-Level Technical Summit, in collaboration with WHO Europe. Gathering people living with diabetes (PwD), representatives from IDF Europe’s Member Associations as well as from Ministries of Health across the region and other stakeholders, this groundbreaking Summit will seek to develop solutions adapted to the permacrisis era to improve the detection and diagnosis of diabetes as well as the quality of care and prevention of diabetes-related complications, and ensure equal and affordable access to the right quality treatment at the right time and place.
During these events and through our extensive social media campaigns, we will aim to educate the general public and policy makers to dispel misconceptions and reduce stigma and discrimination and raise awareness of the burden of diabetes on people living with the condition, their families, healthcare systems and society at large. PwD and other stakeholders will be the key drivers of the social media campaigns, which will feature their views, perspective and aspirations through a series of videos.
Alongside this, our call to action this year will centre on recalling the many commitments that governments have made over recent years – from the Voluntary Targets on NCDs, to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Diabetes Targets, and calling for an acceleration of action on these commitments.
In particular, we will be calling for:
- PwD to be empowered, engaged and front and centre of everything that affects them and their care - #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs as standard
- Renewed political attention to be placed on diabetes – despite the permacrisis and its resulting conflicting priorities – including ambitious plans, targets and milestones at pan-European and national levels, supported by adequate financing
- Timely action to be a key principle underlying prevention, early diagnosis and management – the right treatment at the right time at the right place
- Unalienable right to uninterrupted and affordable access to the required high-quality medicines, technologies, care – both physical and mental/psychological – and education to be guaranteed for all
- Person-centred, integrated care to be implemented, by strengthening primary and community care but also by looking at the development of new care pathways supported by new technologies and the digitalisation of health systems such as telehealth, remote monitoring, etc.
- The adoption of innovative approaches, medicines, tools and technologies to be expanded across the board and made available to all. These and novel care pathways, supported by more comprehensive access to a wide range of different data sets, have the potential to truly revolutionise prevention and care
- More focus to be given to research – not only to continue looking for a cure but also to provide a more personalised approach to prevention and treatment and adequately evaluate the effectiveness of the myriad interventions now available
- Healthcare professionals (HCPs) to be better trained in supporting PwD, and in applying the latest evidence-based scientific guidelines and better supported to be able to provide the best possible care through addressing shortages and developing the concept of multi-disciplinary teams
As November begins, together, united, let’s act on diabetes! If not now, when?
IDF EUROPE YOUTH PLATFORM
The 2023 IDF Europe YOURAH Forum in Lisbon
On October 21-22, 25 alumni from our Youth Leadership Lab (YLL) met in Lisbon to continue their advocacy journey and strengthen their bonds with fellow young diabetes advocates.
The weekend was filled with insightful workshops, enriching lectures and collaborative brainstorming sessions. The participants also laid the foundations for a powerful campaign on the theme of Standing Up for Diabetes. We are amazed by their unwavering dedication to advancing youth-driven diabetes awareness.
We wish to thank APDP (Diabetes Portugal), the APDP Youth Group and our YLL alumni from Portugal for hosting the first YOURAH Forum!
Members of the IDF Europe YOURAH Network launched the “D-Youth Podcast”
The D-Youth team states that ‘Sometimes it’s good to feel that you are not alone’ and we could not agree more! The idea of the ‘Diabetes Daily’ podcast by DYOUTH was born during IDF Europe’s Youth Leadership Lab in Bulgaria this July and continued to develop thereafter.
Six young people from six European countries came together under one mission: to unite for diabetes! Through their podcast episodes, they share their stories, perspectives and challenges living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
To learn more and to get a chance to participate click here
MEMBER NEWS
Diabetes training videos from the Austrian Diabetes Society
The Austrian Diabetes Society (ÖDG)’s main objectives are to support firstly, PwD in achieving optimal diabetes management and secondly, HCPs in providing high-quality diabetes care.
To do this, the ÖDG regularly publishes clinical practice guidelines for HCPs as well as training videos for people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). These assets are developed in collaboration with leading diabetes experts in Austria and are independently produced with the association’s resources. Complementing the training videos, sets of slides on specific topics related to diabetes are also available to be consulted by PwD as additional education materials.
The resources in German language are available here
IDF EUROPE NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
IDF Europe at EASD
From October 2-6, we attended the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 59th Annual Meeting in Hamburg, where we also held a symposium, “Erase Diabetes Together”, which focused on how to mobilise PwD, HCPs and policy makers to lower the risk of diabetes and its complications.
Each year, EASD represents a great opportunity to meet with our members and connect with a wide range of diabetes stakeholders, learn about the latest developments in diabetes prevention, management and care and exchange best practices on PwD engagement and empowerment.
We wish to thank our incredible speakers and everyone who joined our symposium!
Read the report of the event here
IDF Europe at the HealthTech for Care Innovation Days
On October 24, IDF Europe Project Coordinator, Mia Bajramagic, participated as a panellist in the 5th edition of the HealthTech Innovation Days, organised by HealthTech for Care, the endowment fund launched by France Biotech, which is designed to support and promote access to care, new medical technologies and drugs across Europe.
During the event, she participated in the roundtable focusing on “the road from prevention to treatment together with patients” where Mia shared insights on the importance of patient engagement and involvement in the innovation process for better healthcare delivery.
IDF Europe at the Economist Impact Event – Future of Health Europe
On October 11-12, IDF Europe Director, Policy and Strategy, Sabine Dupont, attended the Economist Impact event on the Future of Health Europe in London. On the second day of the event, she participated in a panel discussion on the potential of digital therapeutics in transforming healthcare.
The panel addressed the impact of digital disease management on health outcomes; the role of new technologies in improving care; drivers in patients’ acceptance of digital therapeutics; and access and reimbursement pathways.
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, and several members of the MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes Interest Group (MMD) also participated in the event and highlighted the transformative power of digitalisation for building stronger and more resilient health systems as well as the importance of elevating health on the political agenda for the upcoming European elections in 2024.
The People Behind Numbers: Síofra’s story
IDF Europe partnered with the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) to tell Siofra’s story about her challenges as a child living with T1D in rural Ireland, where she struggled to access the specialist diabetes care and the technologies that she needed to optimally manage her condition.
Access to diabetes care and technologies varies greatly between and within European countries. According to Eurostat, 26% of the EU population reports unmet needs for specialist healthcare due to financial reasons, waiting lists, or transport and distance.
Watch the video to learn about Siofra’s story and the policy solutions we believe will make a difference in improving access to diabetes care and technologies in Europe.
We wish to thank diabetes advocate, Siofra Kelleher, for sharing her story and EPHA for involving IDF Europe in the People Behind Numbers campaign.
IDF Europe Country Profiles: Georgia
As part of our Centenary of Insulin campaign, we are releasing national factsheets presenting key facts about diabetes care, with the purpose of raising awareness and enabling policymakers to make better decisions when it comes to diabetes care.
This month, we released the country profile for Georgia!
Click here or on the image to read the factsheet and learn more about diabetes care in Georgia.
High-Level Technical Summit on Diabetes: Accelerating action on commitments to improve diabetes detection and quality of care
On November 28-29, IDF Europe, in collaboration with WHO Europe, will hold a High-Level Technical Summit on Diabetes in Belgrade, Serbia.
The Summit will bring together PwD, representatives from IDF Europe’s Member Associations as well as from Ministries of Health across the region and other stakeholders to elevate diabetes on the political agenda and accelerate action to deliver on existing commitments.
Read more about the Summit here
IDF EUROPE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION WORK
World Mental Health Day
On October 10, we celebrated World Mental Health Day. This year’s campaign reminded us that mental health is a universal human right and is an inherent part of our well-being.
Paying attention to mental health is particularly important for PwD as diabetes is a complex and progressive condition that requires round-the-clock self-management throughout one’s life. Diabetes distress and burnout, depression, anxiety and eating disorders are all very common for PwD and can affect the quality of their lives.
On the occasion of this important day, we also joined the World Mental Health Conference hosted by EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, where we welcomed the Commission’s comprehensive mental health approach as a key pillar of the European Health Union.
World Sight Day
On October 12, we joined the World Sight Day campaign to raise awareness of eye health and the importance of regular vision check-ups. On the day, we stressed the fact that eye health is critical for PwD. In Europe, more than one third of all PwD develop diabetes-related retinopathy (DR), and one in ten, vision-threatening retinopathy.
The establishment of comprehensive screening pathways, including adequate identification and screening of at-risk populations, and close monitoring with screening every 1/2 years can help prevent DR.
Learn more about diabetes and the eye here
World Stroke Day
During the week leading up to October 29, we joined the World Stroke Campaign in supporting people to take action towards stroke prevention. Stroke is a major complication of diabetes and PwD are more likely to experience poorer outcomes after a stroke.
Throughout the week, we shared information about the main risk factors for PwD and we raised awareness of the importance of access to the healthcare needed to lower the risk of developing diabetes-related complications such as stroke.
Learn more about diabetes and stroke here
NEWS FROM EUROPE
WHO Europe High-Level Meeting on Primary Care
To celebrate the 45th and 5th anniversaries of the Alma-Ata and Astana Declarations, respectively, WHO Europe held the “Primary health care policy and practice: implementing for better results” High-Level Meeting on October 23 with the aim to assess progress in fulfilling Astana commitments, highlighting strategies for equitable and effective Primary health care (PHC) implementation
PHC is vital for diabetes prevention, care and management as PHC professionals treat most people living with T2D and identify those at risk. IDF Europe supports the investment in PHC as it is crucial for ensuring the best health outcomes for people with diabetes.
73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe
The 73rd session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe took place in Astana, Kazakhstan from 24 to 26 October with the participation of high-level Member States representatives as well as IDF Europe’s Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont. The current situation in Europe and the need for action against common challenges was one of the main points of discussion.
IDF Europe is committed to working closely with WHO/Europe and Member States to ensure no one is left alone living with a chronic condition such diabetes.
Read here our written statements on:
Click below to read the joint statements supported by IDF Europe:
WHO Europe launches “Therapeutic patient education: an introductory guide”
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe is set to launch the ’Therapeutic patient education: an introductory guide’ with an informative webinar on November 15 from 09:00-11:00 CET
Register here
EU-FUNDED PROJECTS
Trials@Home Annual Meeting
The Trials@Home Annual Meeting, of which IDF Europe is a consortium member, took place on 24-25 October. The Patient Engagement Panel (PEP), which IDF Europe coordinates, again held a prominent role during the meeting. PEP Members first held an in-person working session to discuss the newly established Layman Language Working Group.
The group’s mission is to simplify complex scientific publications to make them accessible to the general public. On the last day of the meeting, they, then, held an open discussion with the other members of the consortium. The key takeaway from this group was crystal clear: understanding translates to better care. One PEP member also participated in a panel designed to explore how decentralised clinical trials (DCTs) could benefit the paediatric population, emphasising the importance of inclusivity in research.
During the Annual Meeting, all work package leaders provided updates on their work, which included an insightful presentation on the RADIAL trial. An essential part of the study, the RADIAL clinical trial is a proof-of-concept study which is testing out whether future clinical trials can be successfully run from participants’ homes rather than from hospitals or clinics.
Do you want to get involved with the project?
- If you are living with T2D on basal insulin, in one of the countries where the trial has already started – Germany, Denmark and the UK –
or will start soon (Italy, Spain and Poland) and are interested in helping with the RADIAL proof-of-concept, you can learn more here.
- If you are living with T2D in Austria, Germany or The Netherlands, then you can also take the Trials@Home Survey which aims to understand the preferences for participation in clinical trials of people living with T2D! The survey is being conducted among people >18 y/o living with T2D.
DigiCare4You Annual Meeting
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.
On November 20-21, the Consortium members will meet in Tirana, Albania, for the project’ fourth annual meeting to discuss the progress achieved and the next steps.
Read more about the project here.
UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS EUROPE
#docday° on World Diabetes Day 2023 in collaboration with IDF Europe
November 14, 2023 | For more information, visit the website here
CHECK LinkedIn Live event "Listen to the heart & kidneys in diabetes: Revealing silent threats"
Online, November 14, 2023, 15:30-16:00 CET | Follow the event here
WHO Europe webinar "Therapeutic patient education: an introductory guide"
Online, November 15, 2023, 09:00-11:00 CET | Register here
High-Level Technical Summit on Diabetes
Belgrade, Serbia, November 28-29, 2023 | Organised by IDF Europe in collaboration with WHO Europe 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
IDF Europe is also on LinkedIn and Instagram!
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