DIABETES, WHY WE NEED TO LOOK BEYOND MORTALITY

According to World Health Organization estimates, 41 million annual deaths were due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2021. This accounted for more than 71% of all deaths globally. While diabetes itself only accounts for a small proportion of all NCD deaths, this hides its impact on other NCDs. Several modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are commonly associated with NCDs. Diabetes is a significant risk factor for several of them, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as coronary heart disease and heart failures, and certain types of cancer.

Currently, one in ten people worldwide live with diabetes and this number is expected to rise to 643 million people by 2030 and to 783 million by 2045 unless more attention is placed on prevention and screening. The 45% expected increase in diabetes prevalence over the next 25 years will inevitably increase the burden and mortality linked to CVD and cancer.

The close link between diabetes and CVD is best demonstrated by the fact that it is the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with diabetes. Global figures show that CVD affects about one third of all persons living with type 2 diabetes and accounts for half of its deaths. Studies have shown that an increase in HbA1c levels by one mmol/mol increases the risk of CVD by a staggering 11%. Gestational diabetes mellitus is also associated with long-term adverse consequences in the offspring and is an important risk factor for both type 2 diabetes and CVD. A strong link has also been demonstrated between diabetes and certain types of cancer. One in five persons living with cancer also lives with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes has proven to considerably increase the risk of cervical and stomach cancer, while type 2 diabetes increases liver, pancreatic, bowel, womb, breast, and bladder cancer.

CVD is the leading cause of death among NCDs worldwide, with 17.9 million deaths annually followed by cancer (9.3 million) and diabetes (1.5 million deaths). As a major risk factor for other NCDs with high mortality rates, it is urgent to start looking beyond mortality when measuring the impact of diabetes on individuals and health systems, and adapting health policies accordingly. Lowering the diabetes incidence will help reduce overall mortality, including those for CVD and cancer.

Tackling NCDs requires a holistic approach, with a core focus on prevention and screening. Early detection greatly increases the chance of survival, reduces complications and lowers the costs of health interventions. An integrated care model which is defined by WHO as "a concept bringing together inputs, delivery, management and organisation of services related to diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation and health promotion” can contribute to strengthening health systems, providing better quality care, and greatly enhancing the quality of life of people living with more than one condition.

IDF EUROPE YOUTH PLATFORM

Participants in the IDF Europe Youth Leadership Lab 2021 met each other in person for the first time in Brussels

Youth Leadership Lab 2021 (YLL) participants finally met each other in person, from 8 to 10 April in Brussels! The YLL 2021 spanned over five months from June to November. On a weekly basis, a wonderful group of youth leaders gathered in a virtual space for co-creation and collaborative thinking that alternated between educational sessions and social interaction to create a community of young people living with diabetes.

The much awaited physical meeting in Brussels was a great success and exceeded expectations by far. Every single minute was an opportunity to share experiences, learn, exchange ideas and discuss future diabetes initiatives and projects.   Team building activities, storytelling exercises and interactive discussions were on the week-end’s agenda.  Participants shared their passion about driving changes for and with the diabetes community. We thank them all for their current and future engagement with IDF Europe.  Special thanks to João Valente Nabais, former IDF Europe Chair and IDF Vice-President, for his exceptional support!

Youth Leadership Lab 2022
Call for application - Extended deadline!

We wish to thank all IDF Europe Member Associations that have already nominated their candidates for the 2022 IDF Europe Youth Leadership Lab. To allow wider participation, the deadline has been extended to April 30.  Please share the call widely and click here to learn more about the programme and the application process. 

After two online editions, the 2022 YLL will combine online modules and an on-site Youth Leadership Camp in Krotoszyce, Poland, from 10 to 16 July 2022 (situation permitting).  We thank the Polskie Stowarzyszenie Diabetykow for hosting it!

UKRAINE NEWS

Support for People living with Diabetes affected by the War in Ukraine

Close to two months after the start of the war in Ukraine, as the conflict has intensified and some cities have become isolated, people living with diabetes are facing increasing challenges. We recently talked to Daniel, a Ukrainian physician from Kharkiv, living with Type 1 Diabetes, and Nadiya, a woman with type 1 diabetes from Kherson, whose stories, among many others, not only outline the needs of the diabetes community in Ukraine, but also illustrate its strong cohesion and commitment, in and out of the country. Daniel’s interview is available in full here, and Nadiya here.

IDF Europe is extremely concerned for people living with diabetes in Ukraine and those displaced as a consequence of the unprovoked war. Since the beginning of the conflict, as well as calling for an immediate end to the conflict, we have been working with our international partners and member associations on ensuring the delivery of medicines and devices and supplies that PwD may require in Ukraine and in the countries in which Ukrainian citizens seek refuge. 

Since the start of the crisis, IDF transnational Member, Direct Relief, has mobilised its resources to support medical needs in the country as they become known. To develop a strategic response to the region’s growing need for insulin and other elements of diabetes care, Direct Relief is working with the International Diabetes Federation, Ukrainian Diabetes Federation, Ukrainian Ministry of Health, Life for a Child, and the World Health Organization’s non-communicable diseases working group.

IDF, IDF Europe and Direct Relief have also set up regular contacts with the Directorate of International Cooperation of the Ukrainian Health Ministry to identify and prioritise needs and to coordinate deliveries of donations to governmental storage facilities. The Ministry of Health ensures the dispatch of insulin and diabetes medications/supplies within Ukraine.  Conflict zones are prioritised. 

Centralising information is key to help people access it easily. To facilitate this, IDF Europe has developed the platform "Connect Solidarity", which gathers information to help Ukrainians living with diabetes understand what support they can get in the country where they are, and how to get it. 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 know more about our initiative, how you can donate, join, or support our efforts, click on the button below:

IDF EUROPE NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

IDF Europe Regional Board - Call for nominations

IDF Europe seeks inspiring and motivated candidates to improve health outcomes and quality of life for people living with diabetes in Europe, and to elevate diabetes on the political agenda.

Click here to learn more about the open positions, the selection criteria and the nomination process.

Twinning Programme

The aim of the survey was to map associations' strengths and needs to create an overview of the expertise that could be exchanged and the gaps that need to be filled.

Participants were invited to examine the results of the survey and to identify one or more associations that they would like to exchange knowledge with. By exploring the range of initiatives of other diabetes associations, participants could get inspiration on the types of concrete projects that they could develop within the context of the Twinning Programme, and the support that they could receive.

We are now going through the applications received and look forward to kick-starting some twinning activities. If your association should like still to be considered for the twinning programme, please contact martina.boccardo@idf-europe.org

Learn more about the programme on our website.

NEWS FROM MEMBERS

“Perspectives on Diabetes” – Online conversation series from the 
Turkish Diabetes Foundation

The first webinar’s topic, moderated by Professor Sehnaz Karadeniz, was “Heart, diabetes and kidney: Make the link”. During the event, Prof. Eberhard Standl presented the “Cardio-renal-metabolic link: Pathophysiology and clinical implications” while Prof. Mahmoud Ibrahim introduced “The cardiometabolic renal initiative”. The presentations were followed by an interactive session during which the audience could ask questions and share their thoughts on the topic. 

Visit the Turkish Diabetes Foundation website to learn more about the programme and other upcoming initiatives: www.turkdiab.org

12th Serbian Congress on Diabetes 

The 12th Serbian Congress on Diabetes, organised by the Serbian Diabetes Society under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia, was held virtually in Belgrade, on March 20-25, 2022, and was attended by 1,375 participants. The Congress gathered clinicians, researchers, nurses and people living with diabetes (PwD) and consisted of symposia and lectures on diabetes-related topics such as diabetes and COVID-19, the centenary of insulin, modern diabetes care, the relationship between cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, healthcare systems and diabetes, and primary and secondary prevention of diabetes. The Congress also included two special programmes "Nurses as part of the Diabetes Team" and "How to Live with Diabetes", co-created by, and with the participation of, PwD and the Diabetes Association of Serbia. 

Read the full article here

NEWS FROM EUROPE

European Parliament calls on the Commission to present an ambitious European Care Strategy that builds on everyone’s right to affordable, accessible, and high-quality Care 

The report covers issues related to gender equality, health services, medical institutions and the elderly. It stresses the importance of an integrated approach to common European action on care that pays equal attention to people’s physical, psychological and social needs. 

The draft report is a reaction from the EP to the upcoming European Care Strategy. According to the Commission Work Programme 2022, the strategy will address both carers and care receivers, from childcare to long-term care. It will set a framework for policy reforms to guide the development of sustainable long-term care that ensures better and more affordable access to quality services for all.

It is an important piece of legislation for people living with diabetes , their families and carers. As diabetes is a chronic condition that can develop very early on in life, both the needs of people and carers will evolve over time. This requires long-term sustainable care that enables PwD to live independent, healthy and active lives. Integrated care and comprehensive care pathways are important for health outcomes and quality of life.  

Read more here.

IDF EUROPE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION WORK

IDF Europe invites Member Associations and People living with Diabetes to respond to the Public Consultation on the Revision of the EU driving Licence Directive

The European Commission will be revising the current Directive on driving licences adopted in 2006 with the aim of improving and updating road safety. A public consultation is open for feedback from all stakeholders from February 25 to May 20, 2022 here. 

It is critical that the diabetes community shares its views on the need to update Annex III which defines the “Minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving a power-driven vehicle”. The Directive is currently restrictive for drivers requiring insulin treatment and/or drivers who have had a hypoglycaemic episode in the last 12 months. The advent of new technologies such as continuous glucose monitors, for example, allows for a much greater ability to control glycaemic levels and avoid hypoglycaemia than was the case in 2006. This needs to be taken into account when considering restrictions and mandatory recurring medical check-ups, for example. 

IDF Europe is in the process of contacting its Member Associations to draft a panorama of the current legislation regarding driving with diabetes in all EU Member States in order to develop a consensus document in response to the stakeholder consultation. We also encourage our Member Associations and all other diabetes stakeholders directly to respond to the consultation and to share with IDF Europe any additional comments they may have. This will ensure that the voice of the diabetes community is heard loudly and clearly.

IDF Europe participates in the third Stakeholder Webinar on the ‘Healthier together - EU Non-Communicable Diseases Initiative’

DG SANTE reiterated the importance for all stakeholders to submit examples of best practices. The Directorate has made it a priority to identify, disseminate and transfer best practices in order to promote health, prevent disease and help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030 and the nine UN/WHO global voluntary targets for health. Actions can also help address the social determinants of health and health literacy, effective and efficient screening, multimorbidity, and improvements towards person-centred, integrated care. Best practices can focus on the entire patient pathway from the prevention of diabetes to treatment and management, as well as on improving the quality of life of people living with diabetes. DG SANTE will prioritise actions that additionally address health inequalities and/or involve integrated ‘Health in All Policies’ approaches.  

We encourage our Member Associations to act on the initiative now and share with IDF Europe their best practices, for us to incorporate in our response to the stakeholder consultation.  This will ensure that the action on diabetes is ambitious and incorporates all the priorities of the diabetes community. Alternatively, Member Associations can also share their best practices via the Best Practice Portal by 15 May 2022.

Click here to read more.

IDF Europe responds to the public Consultation on Food and Alcohol Labelling in the EU

The consultation asked a series of questions on front-of-pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles to restrict the use of claims on foods as well as questions concerning alcoholic beverage labelling, including list of ingredients and nutrition declaration. To learn more about IDF Europe’s perspective on how foods and alcoholic beverages should be labelled to ensure consumers are empowered to make informed healthy choices, read our full article here.

The IDF Europe Position Paper on Vaccination of People living with Diabetes is now available in Italian

This paper looks into the major vaccinations recommended for people living with diabetes, and provides a situation analysis of vaccinations in Europe, followed by a review of recent developments and recommendations on the administration of COVID-19 booster shots as well as combined flu and COVID-19 vaccination. The report also outlines key policy recommendations to ensure that people living with diabetes are fully protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

We would like to thank AMD for its efforts in translating and facilitating the dissemination of the Position Paper in Italian.

Click here to read the Position Paper in English or in Italian.

On World Kidney Day, IDF Europe released a factsheet on Chronic Kidney Disease for People living with Diabetes

One in three people living with diabetes in Europe develop Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a progressive loss in kidney function that negatively affects one's health and quality of life. Effective prevention, early diagnosis and adequate care and medication are key to lower the risk or slow down disease progression and are predicated on bridging the gap in knowledge and awareness of the disease.

Click here or on the images below to read our factsheet and learn more about prevention and management of CKD.

The Fight for Gender Equality: the Burden faced by Women living with Diabetes

To tackle the modifiable risk factors linked to gender, it is critical for governments and healthcare systems to develop a comprehensive multidisciplinary strategy involving economic, social and environmental determinants and including:

• The development of specific approaches to diabetes prevention, education and care for women and girls;
• Equitable access to care, irrespective of gender;
• An increase in the awareness of the disparities in access and outcomes among policymakers and healthcare professionals; and
• More research into sex/gender-specific disparities in diabetes health outcomes.

Click here for more information on the gender disparities of diabetes 

World Health Day - The rising Challenges of the global Diabetes Epidemic and Climate Change

The environmental crisis is also a health crisis. Recent studies suggest that there is a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and climate change. This relationship originates from biological, social, environmental, geophysical and economic factors. For example, extreme temperature changes have been reported to have negative effects on diabetes. PwD are more prone to dehydration and cardiovascular events during extreme heat and are negatively affected by sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diets during extreme cold weather.

On World Health Day, we supported WHO’s call for policy makers to implement sustainable, long-term social protection and legal and fiscal strategies, with the protection of human and planetary health at their core.

Read more here.

EU-FUNDED PROJECTS

DigiCare4You Annual Meeting

IDF Europe is part of the five-year DigiCare4You Horizon-2020 EU funded project which aims to improve the early prevention and management of T2D and hypertension (HTN) via a community-based, person-centred solution, integrating both social and healthcare systems, supported by the use of digital tools.

DigiCare4You´s 16 consortium partners from Australia, Europe and the USA gathered virtually for a two-day annual meeting on March 21 and March 22. The nine work package (WP) leaders of the project presented an update on the progress made in each of their WPs. The project is currently in the process of recruiting healthcare centres to undertake the screening process and of developing mHealth tools for both the screening process and the interventions. 

IDF Europe has recently established an International Stakeholder Advisory Board (ISAB) which met during DigiCare4You´s annual meeting for an introductory session. 

Read about DigiCare4You and the ISAB’s here and follow the project on twitter @DigiCare4You  

Recognised reaches a new Milestone

IDF Europe is part of the four-year RECOGNISED project that is studying the biological mechanisms that cause structural and functional alterations in the retina in people living with T2D to determine whether these same pathways play a role in the events observed in the brain during the development of cognitive impairment and dementia.

RECOGNISED has recently achieved a major project milestone through the completion of the lengthy and complicated recruitment process that was delayed due to the COVID pandemic. It even surpassed the target of recruiting 168 participants with type 2 diabetes and mild cognitive impairment for the longitudinal study to achieve 177 recruited participants. 

Read more about the project study here 

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