WORLD DIABETES DAY 2022:
A month of extraordinary achievements for the diabetes community
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization. It is celebrated every year on November 14, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best 100 years ago. Since its inception, WDD (and the entire month of November) represents a great opportunity for the diabetes community to unite in concerted actions to bring diabetes into the public spotlight and onto the political agenda.
While insulin and many innovations, such as new medicines and devices for diabetes management, have contributed to saving millions of lives in the last 100 years, to this day, the socio-economic determinants of health, which are responsible for many disparities in health outcomes and quality of life for people living with diabetes (PwD) have not been addressed. Among these, inequalities in access to education are contributing to significant disparities across population groups in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), in the management of the condition and, subsequently, in the risk of developing complications. Additionally, the rising number of PwD is putting healthcare systems and healthcare professionals (HCPs) under increasing pressure. To raise awareness of these issues, this year’s WDD theme aimed at highlighting the fact that HCPs should know how to detect and diagnose the condition early and provide the best possible care; and that all PwD need access to structured diabetes education at the time of diagnosis and throughout the life course to understand and optimally manage their condition.
Like every year, we were extremely pleased to hear about the incredible efforts and the numerous initiatives that our member associations across Europe have been conducting at national level to raise awareness of the needs of PwD. National diabetes associations play a crucial role in raising the voice of PwD, tackling local challenges, and calling on key national stakeholders to take action on ensuring access to care and education. From primary and secondary prevention initiatives to education activities targeted at both PwD and HCPs for improving diabetes self-management and care, awareness campaigns for increasing access to diabetes technologies and initiatives to bring diabetes into the public spotlight, these are only some of the great actions carried out by our members on the occasion of WDD.
This year, the celebrations for the Centenary of the Discovery of Insulin paved the way for a call to policy makers for increased action on diabetes and improved access to care and treatment. To build on this momentum, at the EU level, IDF Europe held a series of events in collaboration with MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes (MMD) and key diabetes stakeholders to mobilise political support for a new Diabetes Resolution on the “Prevention, management and better care of diabetes in the EU on the occasion of World Diabetes Day”, which was adopted by the European Parliament on November 23. This great achievement, which would not have been possible without the united support of the diabetes community, represents a key step forward in our efforts to tackle the raising number of PwD and the persisting inequalities in access to care and treatment in Europe, but it also outlines the important work that still lies ahead to ensure that a strong EU leadership, in close collaboration with Member States, will guarantee the resilience of health systems, improve EU citizens’ quality of life and reduce inequalities.
As we approach the final year of the celebrations for the Centenary of the Discovery of Insulin, we look forward to continuing to collaborate with the diabetes community to shape the next 100 years of diabetes.
IDF EUROPE WORLD DIABETES DAY ACTIVITIES
World Diabetes Day 2022
On November 14, we celebrated one of the most important days for us – World Diabetes Day!
This year, we called on policymakers to increase access to diabetes education to help improve the lives of the more than half a billion people living with diabetes worldwide. Access to education is critical both to improve self-management and to empower people to be full actors in their own care.
As part of our overall advocacy efforts to mark the Centenary of the Discovery of Insulin, we also organised various events throughout November to mobilise support for a new EU Diabetes Resolution, which was passed during the European Parliament Plenary Session on November 23.
WDD is celebrated every year on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. On this special occasion, we celebrate the people living with diabetes and the many advances in diabetes care which have taken place since the discovery of insulin 100 years ago. Much still remains to be done though to ensure the best possible quality of life and health outcomes.
To see all of our efforts and campaigns for this year’s WDD, visit our profiles on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
#docday° with #dedoc°
On WDD itself, as in 2021, we collaborated with #dedoc° for a special rendition of their community event #docday°. Our Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont, applauded the many initiatives conducted by IDF Europe’s Member Associations across Europe and spoke about why we so urgently needed a Diabetes Resolution for the EU.
Messages from EU Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, MMD members, and people living with diabetes, on the occasion of World Diabetes Day
On the occasion of WDD, EU Parliament President, Roberta Metsola; EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides; several MMD members and some of our YOURAH advocates living with diabetes shared their messages to raise awareness of the urgent need for action on diabetes.
In her message, President Metsola recalled what can be achieved when science meets decisive policy action and underlined the European Parliament's commitment to improving the lives of the 32 million people in the EU living with the disease through a new Diabetes Resolution.
Click here to listen to the messages of MMD co-chairs, MEPs Sirpa Pietikäinen and Christel Schaldemose, and MMD members, MEPs Tomasz Frankowski, Romana Jerković, Kateřina Konečná, Frédérique Ries and István Ujhelyi.
On WDD, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, shared a written statement, highlighting the urgent need to tackle diabetes and the burden that it places on PwD, societies and healthcare systems as well as the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention, diagnosis and treatment. In her statement, Commissioner Kyriakides also outlined the role of the EU NCD Initiative – Healthier Together and other EU Commission joint actions in collaboration with Member States and key stakeholders.
Read the full statement here
Throughout the WDD week, we also shared on our channels video messages from some of our YOURAH advocates living with diabetes, who described what changes they would like to see in their respective countries 100 years after the discovery of insulin. In their messages, they highlighted the importance of diabetes prevention and early action as well as the need to ensure equal access to diabetes medicines and technologies for all PwD, and they called on MEPs to support the vote on the new Diabetes Resolution taking place the following week.
We warmly thank all our YOURAH advocates who shared their messages in support of the resolution.
Click here to listen to all their testimonials
European Parliament Breakfast Symposium - improving diabetes care for more resilient healthcare systems
As part of our efforts to mobilise political support for a new Diabetes Resolution and to celebrate WDD, on November 15, we held a breakfast symposium at the European Parliament, co-hosted by MEPs Sirpa Pietikäinen and Christel Schaldemose, co-chairs of the MMD Interest Group. During the event, the various speakers highlighted the need for more concerted policy action at EU level to improve diabetes prevention and management.
Public health expert and APDP medical director, Joao Raposo, participated in the event and talked about what we can learn from COVID-19 to improve diabetes management, prevention and care and to absorb future health crises and build resilient healthcare systems. Diabetes advocate Jean Langford shared her insights and lived experience of health disparities from growing up with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Ireland. These talks were followed by a panel discussion with MEPs Marisa Matias, Tilly Metz, Sirpa Pietikäinen and Christel Schaldemose on what policy changes are required now at EU level to turn the tide on diabetes.
The conclusion was clear: we need to do more, and we need to do better! Every European has the right to accessible and qualitative care and we are delighted that by adopting the new Diabetes Resolution, the EU is now taking an important step forward to ensure it.
Read more about the event here
Exhibition and blood glucose testing event
at the European Parliament in Strasbourg
On November 21-24, on the occasion of the EU Parliament November Plenary session, we held an exhibition on the history of diabetes, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The exhibition was hosted by MMD member, MEP Romana Jerković.
At the exhibition, visitors could read about the history of diabetes, the discovery of insulin and the new treatments and technologies developed since. With the discovery of insulin, diabetes became a treatable disease but there remains much more to be done to ensure best possible health outcomes and quality of life.
At the venue of the exhibition, visitors had the opportunity to get their blood glucose tested and to learn more about diabetes and the risk of developing the condition. Several MEPs, including EU Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, stopped by and mentioned the event on social media to raise awareness of the importance of screening and early action.
Throughout November, we also held six other blood glucose testing events at various buildings of European Union institutions in Brussels.
As a result, over 1,100 people stopped by our testing stations to get their blood sugar checked, and to collect information material to learn more about diabetes and the risk of developing the condition. We wish to thank the Wellbeing Team of the Commission (HR D1 – Working Conditions & Wellbeing Coordination) for hosting us.
European Parliament adopts a new Diabetes Resolution
After a plenary debate on November 21, on November 23, the European Parliament voted on a resolution on the “Prevention, management and better care of diabetes in the EU on the occasion of World Diabetes Day”. The resolution was adopted with an overwhelming majority: 605 MEPs voted in favour, 29 voted against, and five MEPs abstained.
IDF Europe and MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes applaud this important step forward towards reversing the rising number of PwD, improving the management of diabetes and its complications, and addressing the inequalities and disparities in access to care and treatment in Europe.
If put into action, the resolution has the potential to contribute to better health outcomes for millions of EU citizens living with diabetes, as well as with NCDs and other conditions. We warmly thank President Roberta Metsola and all supporting MEPs for their salient efforts to gather political support, increase awareness of this life-altering disease and their call for urgency to act.
Dr Niti Pall, IDF Europe Chair, commented: “This year is particularly important and symbolic. On the centenary of the discovery of insulin, 10 years after the first European Parliament Motion of Resolution on diabetes, we finally have the resolution that emphasizes the need for action. A lot needs to be done but this is definitely a very good start.”
To read our full statement click here
MEMBER NEWS
APDP Diabetes Portugal – activities during Diabetes Awareness Month
On WDD, the Portuguese diabetes association, APDP, launched an awareness campaign to call for improved access to automated insulin delivery systems for children and young PwD in the country. The newest devices for automatic insulin delivery have already been introduced in Portugal but, due to their very high cost and selection criteria, it is estimated that only 10% of PWD in the country have access to them.
To raise awareness of the issue, the campaign was implemented on November 14, on the streets and on various platforms, including TV channels, cinemas and social media. At the same time, a petition signed by more than 25,000 people was submitted to the Portuguese Parliament to ask for the full reimbursement of automated insulin delivery systems.
On November 17 and 18, APDP Diabetes Portugal held its fourth National Congress at the Ismaili Centre, in Lisbon. The event brought together 500 participants to network and exchange knowledge on the latest scientific innovations in the field of diabetes. Several national and international experts participated in the event to address a wide variety of topics such as diabetes and liver disease, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, diabetic retinopathy, obesity, behavioural change strategies, the use of artificial intelligence in diabetes and the interrelations of diabetes with cancer and COVID-19. The Congress also included workshops on new technologies, insulin therapy and new injectable therapies, and diabetic foot as well as discussions on the role of the community, such as schools and municipalities, for monitoring and treating diabetes.
Read more here
Cyprus Diabetic Association (CDA) – initiatives on the occasion of World Diabetes Day
On November 14, the Cyprus Diabetic Association (CDA) organised several initiatives to celebrate WDD.
On November 14 and 19, the CDA set up several screening stations across Cyprus, where people could learn more about diabetes and get their blood sugar and blood pressure measured.
On November 19, for the 15th year, the association also organised a walk through the streets of Nicosia, in collaboration with Lions Club International, to raise awareness of diabetes and the importance of physical activity for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, several municipalities and ministries in Cyprus were lit in blue throughout the month of November to raise awareness of diabetes and to mark WDD.
FAND (Associazione Italiana Diabetici) - country-wide blood glucose testing events
On the occasion of WDD, FAND (Associazione Italiana Diabetici) held several blood glucose testing events across Italy during November, with the objective of identifying undiagnosed PwD. This initiative, which had had to be halted in the past couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has now started again. The events are organised by the association’s local branches present across most Italian regions.
In Italy an estimated one million PwD are currently undiagnosed. FAND President, Emilio Augusto Benini, underlined that “a simple check can give PwD a decisive answer for life. Numerous times, during our screening initiatives, we have found people with very high blood glucose levels who were completely unaware of it. At FAND, the core of our mission is prevention, both primary and secondary. At this particular moment in time, when access to healthcare facilities is gradually resuming, our initiatives are even more important as they represent an opportunity for those who want to undergo a simple health check”. For this reason, FAND has encouraged its local associations to continue their blood glucose testing activities beyond WDD, and to implement them systematically throughout the year.
An overview of the testing events organised across the country can be found on the association’s website. Click here to visit the page.
The Swedish Diabetes Association launched the “Diabetes Barometer” on World Diabetes Day
On November 14, on the occasion of WDD, the Swedish Diabetes Association held a webinar to officially launch the “Diabetes Barometer” (Diabetesbarometern). The Diabetes Barometer is a report developed by the association to compare diabetes care and treatment results across Sweden.
The document provides a comprehensive analysis, including responses from 3,500 PwD as well as data on treatment results from the National Diabetes Register in 2021.
During the event, Björn Ehlin, Chairman of the Swedish Diabetes Association, presented the Diabetes Barometer and the various strategies to tackle diabetes identified by the association on the basis of the report. The webinar also featured messages from members of the association as well as from the newly appointed Minister for Health Care, Acko Ankarberg Johansson, on diabetes care. The event concluded with a lecture from Professor Anders Rosengren, who explained the role and the importance of motivation when living with diabetes.
The webinar and the Diabetes Barometer report are available in Swedish on the website of the association here.
Slovenian Diabetes Association (SLODA) - activities on the occasion of World Diabetes Day
To celebrate WDD, the Slovenian Diabetes Association (SLODA) organised several activities throughout November.
These include an event with various musical performances which was attended by 300 people representing 38 local diabetes associations from Slovenia; the collaboration with the Association of Radio Amateurs of Slovenia to celebrate WDD by broadcasting messages about diabetes on the special radio stations S55T and S50G; and the invitation of public institutions to decorate and light up their buildings, landmarks, streets, schools, classrooms, etc., in blue. On its website, the association shares an overview with the pictures of the 64 buildings that participated in the initiative this year (find the gallery here).
For the fourth year, the association has also been implementing the campaign #darujemkilometre, which aims to collect a total of 384,000 kilometers, equivalent to the distance between Earth and the Moon, through various sports activities in order to raise awareness of diabetes and to encourage physical activity. This year, a record-breaking 101,537 km were collected by participants in just over six months, bringing the total number of kilometres collected in the four years to 240,879 km. At this pace, the association is expecting to reach the goal of 384,000 km by next WDD.
On November 7, the Slovenian Diabetes Association held an expert consultation on new developments in the treatment and management of diabetes, with the participation of Dr. med. Samo Fakin, vice-president of Slovenian Diabetes Association; Jana Klavs, nurse, educator and president of the Section of Nurses and Medical Technicians in Endocrinology; Prof. Dr. Tadej Battelino, Dr. med., head of the Clinical Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases at the Paediatric Clinic of the UKC Ljubljana; and Alenka Simonič, Dr. med. specialist and family doctor. The event was moderated by Martina Kolenc, from the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).
Read more here
Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD) – initiatives on the occasion of World Diabetes Day
During November, the Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD) joined the World Diabetes Day campaign to raise awareness of the need for better access to quality diabetes education for HCPs and PwD.
On November 14, SPD shared key facts and figures about diabetes on its social media channels. Compared to other European countries, Portugal has a very high diabetes prevalence. According to the National Diabetes Observatory, 13.3% of the Portuguese population aged between 20 and 79 lives with diabetes.
On November 23, the association held a webinar organised by the Education Study Group, and targeted at HCPs, on “Better communication for the success of the multidisciplinary team”. Multidisciplinary teams are essential in the provision of optimal diabetes care, and HCPs' communication skills play a key role in improving their relationship with PwD.
Turkish Diabetes Association – lighting in blue campaign
On the occasion of WDD, the Turkish Diabetes Association organised the illumination in blue of two of the major bridges in Istanbul, the Fatih Sultan Mehmet and the Yavuz Sultan Selim bridges. The blue lighting of the two bridges which connect the European and Asian continents took place on November 14 to mark WDD and lasted until daylight.
Charity Union of Persons with Disabilities and People with Diabetes Mellitus in Uzbekistan (UMID) – initiatives on the occasion of World Diabetes Day
During November, to mark WDD, the Charity Union of Persons with Disabilities and People with Diabetes Mellitus in Uzbekistan (UMID) organised several events in the Tashkent region in collaboration with the Regional Endocrinological Dispensary.
On November 5, UMID participated in the Global Diabetes Walk by holding a walk to celebrate WDD. The event was attended by people living with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as their families and HCPs.
On the same day, the association provided consultative and diagnostic assistance to 50 PwD from low-income families, aged between 55 and 70. The visits included BMI and glycaemia measurements as well as ophthalmic, cardiovascular, endocrinological and podiatric examinations, which detected the presence of diabetes-related complications, in many of the PwD examined.
During the examinations, PwD also had the chance to learn about insulin therapy and the importance of a healthy diet, physical activity and the prevention of diabetes-related complications. Additionally, in order to support PwD in controlling their blood sugar levels, UMID provided each of them with a glucose meter and 50 test strips as well as lunch boxes with healthy foods. The results of the examinations highlighted the critical importance of diabetes education and access to self-management devices for reducing the development of life-altering complications.
On November 8, UMID organised a seminar in the Yukori Chirchik district, titled “Multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of diabetes-related complications – acting today to improve tomorrow” which was attended by 103 healthcare professionals from the Tashkent region as well as leading professors of endocrinology, ophthalmology, cardiology and podiatry from specialised centres.
Read the full article here
UKRAINE NEWS
Support for people living with diabetes affected by the war in Ukraine
Since the beginning of the conflict, as well as calling for an immediate end to it, IDF Europe has been working with our international partners and member associations on ensuring the delivery of medicines, devices and supplies that PwD require in Ukraine and in the countries in which Ukrainian citizens seek refuge.
IDF Europe also developed the platform "Connect Solidarity". This gathers information to help Ukrainians living with diabetes understand what support they can get in the country where they are displaced, and how to get it, as well as resources that can be used by healthcare professionals and people in need of medical or psychological support living with diabetes and/or other conditions. Currently, information for the platform also highlights the fundraising initiatives endorsed by IDF Europe to support the delivery of medical supplies to PwD in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, as well as our own fundraising efforts to support the work of our member associations that are offering assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees living with diabetes.
To learn about our initiative, how you can donate, join, or support our efforts,
visit our dedicated website: Connect Solidarity
IDF EUROPE NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
IDF Europe Regional Council in Lisbon – December 4, 2022
The IDF Europe Regional Council will be held on December 4 in Lisbon, where all IDF Europe Members will meet in person for the first time since COVID-19. The Regional Council has traditionally taken place the day before the IDF Congress, and it represents one of our most important annual events. The TEAM meeting (“Together Everyone Achieves More”) will take place in the afternoon, after the Regional Council. The day is an opportunity to review the activities carried out throughout the year, share best practices and discuss upcoming projects as well as financial matters. This year, the Regional Council will also elect the new IDF Europe Regional Board for the years 2023-2024.
We are looking forward to meeting all our members in Lisbon!
EUDF-IDF Europe Symposium “Meeting the diabetes challenge: The role of data registries, integrated care and digital tools in improving lives and outcomes for people with diabetes
On December 7, IDF Europe and the European Diabetes Forum (EUDF) will host a symposium at the IDF World Diabetes Congress, in Lisbon. The event will address the role of data registries, integrated care and digital tools as key tools to improve lives and outcomes for PwD.
Agenda of the event:
- Welcome and introduction - Niti Pall, IDF Europe Regional Chair
Diabetes Care in Portugal - Representative of Portuguese MOH (TBC)
What makes Data Registries, Integrated Care, Self-Care and Digitalisation are intrinsic parts of diabetes care? - Chaired by Chantal Mathieu, University of Leuven, EUDF Chair, Senior Vice-President EASD
- Diabetes Registries: Enabling high quality diabetes care - Massimo Massi Benedetti, President and Scientific Director, HIRS
- Five Priorities for Advancing Integrated Care - Joao Filipe Raposo, Nova University of Lisbon, Clinical Director of APDP
- The Promise of Digital Tools: A roadmap for apps - Cajsa Lindberg, Health advocate, consultantOpen discussion & questions
Closing remarks - Nebojsa Lalic, IDF Europe Regional Chair-Elect
The event will take place from 12:30 to 13:30, in room 3B (Pavilion 3).
IDF Europe Twinning Programme
We are delighted to announce that the twinning phase of the IDF Europe twinning programme has now started. We are currently supporting some 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 still like to be considered for the twinning programme, please contact martina.boccardo@idf-europe.org.
Learn more about the programme on our website.
World Science Day for Peace and Development
Celebrated every 10 November, World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.
From the houses we live in through to the medicines we take, science is always with us. For PwD, science, in the form of the discovery of insulin 100 years ago, has been a life-saver.
Many unmet needs in the prevention and optimal management of diabetes remain though, and we urgently need more science and research to lower the risks of developing the condition and improve the lives of people living diabetes. With the new Diabetes Resolution, we are paving the way for more transparency and funding for biomedical research and development on the topic of diabetes.
NEWS FROM EUROPE
The European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) supports a new European Parliament Diabetes Resolution
We thank the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), a leading European civil society alliance, made up of 80 public health NGOs, patient groups, health professionals and disease groups, working to improve health and strengthen the voice of public health in Europe, for supporting our call for more action on diabetes at European level through a new EP Diabetes Resolution.
As noted by EPHA, diabetes is the only major NCD for which a 5% increase in premature deaths (in adults aged 30–69 years) has been observed since 2000. A new Diabetes Resolution has the potential to bring about healthier and more equitable societies for PwD as well as all EU citizens living with NCDs and other conditions.
Read EPHA’s full statement here
Conect4children Multi-Stakeholder Meeting on Medical Devices for Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes
The IMI project conect4children (c4c) will hold its 3rd Multi-stakeholder meeting in Berlin, on February 21, 2023, with the possibility to join remotely. The meeting will focus on paediatric T1D. The goal of the meeting is for patient representatives, academics, medicines developers and regulators from worldwide agencies (EMA & FDA) to share information in a pre-competitive setting, defining unmet medical needs, how to best address them, and how to improve the timely development and access of medical devices for children living with T1D, introducing innovative development pathways in the regulatory environment and increasing accessibility for all patients.
The meeting will be on invitation only following expression of interest. Interested participants can apply by filling the Expression of Interest form here. The deadline for submission is December 18.
For more information about the event, click here.
Ninth ESWI Influenza Conference
The ninth edition of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) Influenza Conference will take place in Valencia on September 17-20, 2023. The ninth edition of the conference will see the participation of renowned influenza, RSV and COVID-19 scientists, public health experts and healthcare professionals, discussing hot topics in epidemic and pandemic flu, RSV and COVID-19. The conference will have two science tracks and one track designed to translate the science to policy.
The Call for Abstracts is currently open and the conference schedule is taking shape, with registrations set to open in early 2023.
For more information, visit the website here.
EU-FUNDED PROJECTS
DigiCare4You celebrates World Diabetes Day and project progress
DigiCare4You aims to promote a healthy lifestyle for the prevention and management of T2D and hypertension (HTN) through a person-centred solution that integrates healthcare services in local communities. The DigiCare4You solution is designed to engage individuals in self-care, self-evaluation, goal setting, and decision making under the guidance of healthcare professionals supported by the use of interactive digital tools.
For WDD 2022, DigiCare4You released an educational article on the importance of prevention and risk-reduction strategies. Primary prevention of diabetes (and HTN) should be tackled by addressing the social determinants of health, promoting health-enabling environments at a national or community level, and developing awareness-raising and screening campaigns. Once diagnosed, adequate glycaemic control is fundamental to prevent and/or delay the onset of diabetes-related complications. Access to the necessary technologies and medication and to structured diabetes education and peer support from the community can help PwD achieve optimal glycaemic control.
DigiCare4You also recently submitted a deliverable on implementers´ and end users´ insights concerning the second stage of the two-step DigiCare4You solution which consists of a screening procedure to identify families at high risk of developing T2D and/or hypertension, followed by an intervention combining the use of digital tools and activities supporting families’ well-being in schools and communities. Work Package 2 leader Sant´Anna School of Advanced Social Studies (SSSA) compiled the results of implementers’ and end users’ insights on the mHealth tools and interventions from qualitative and quantitative data sources. Both groups were positive about the use of mHealth tools but insisted that the tools needed to be user friendly.
DigiCare4You hybrid consortium meeting in Athens
DigiCare4You´s international and multidisciplinary team of 16 partners from Australia, Europe and the USA gathered for a hybrid consortium meeting at Harakopio University of Athens in Greece on November 30th and December 1st. The first physical consortium meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity for all project leaders and coordinators to meet and provide an update on the progress of the project over the last 18 months.
Sports & Diabetes – youth camp and final phase of the project
IDF Europe is part of the Sports and Diabetes project, alongside five European Sports Clubs – TSV Bayer Leverkusen (Germany), HAŠK Mladost (Croatia), Lazio Volley (Italy), Olympiacos S.F.P. (Greece) and WSC – Wiener Sport Club (Austria).
The project aims to promote participation in sports of youths living with T1D by educating sports coaches and teachers as well as addressing the key barriers to participation among children, adolescents and their parents.
The final phase of the project took place in Split, Croatia on November 24-28. This consisted of a youth camp, where 33 children and adolescents from four countries together with their sports coaches and educators gathered to test the final version of the handbook on managing sports and diabetes developed as part of the project. As well as coaches and educators, six YOURAH members (Antonia Precali, Diana Estrela, Jelisaveta Fotić, Lucija Mušćet, Mariana Manita and Matthew Carbonaro) attended the camp to supervise the youths present and share their experience of managing their diabetes while training or participating in sports competitions and galas. We wish to thank them warmly for their enthusiasm and commitment.
Alongside the camp, a final meeting with all consortium partners took place to discuss the dissemination of the project as well as future plans. The youths and coaches all left the camp with a lot of new knowledge and friendships and are now very much ready for the next camp!
For more information on the project and the camp, join us at the IDF Global congress in Lisbon on December 6 at 12.30 and/or visit the Sports and Diabetes website at https://sportsanddiabetes.eu/
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