Malaysia
Malaysian MP Dr Kelvin Yii has called for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder approach in implementing a diabetes management plan in the country. Citing plans in Australia and Switzerland as good examples to follow, the Banda Kuching MP says the Government needs to increase all efforts, including coming out with better policies and running more […]
More News From Around the World: Online Lobbying
The price of insulin and prescription drugs continue to dominate the issues facing people with diabetes in the USA. As part of their campaign to raise awareness and prompt action, the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC), is holding a virtual Hill Day in June. The event involves advocates from different states signing up to lobby […]
Temporary Victory for Alberta Pumpers
Government plans in the Canadian province of Alberta to change funding for insulin pumps have been put on hold following fears expressed by MPs and people with Type 1 diabetes. Alberta’s health minister apologised and said the changes, which were to begin in August are being put off pending consultations to make sure no one […]
News from Around the World: Kenya
CAPTION: 650 Million mobile phone users in Africa The World Bank and African Development Bank report there are 650 million mobile phone users in Africa, surpassing the number in the United States or Europe. In some African countries more people have access to a mobile phone than to clean water, a bank account or electricity. Medical technology […]
COVID Deaths and Diabetes
People with diabetes were almost twice as likely to die with COVID-19 and nearly three times as likely to be critically of severely ill compared to those without the disease, according to a study. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen in the UK reviewed data from hundreds of thousands of people from all over the […]
Global Targets to Reduce Cases of Diabetes
Member States of the World Health Organisation have set country targets to tackle the occurrence of diabetes. The targets were set during the ongoing 75th World Health Assembly that took place in Geneva Switzerland. The targets are supposed to be achieved by 2030. A total of five targets were agreed to. These include; 80 percent […]
New member, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, writes exclusively for Global Advocacy Diabetes
We were just 10 days away from the General Election when my GP gave me the shocking diagnosis that I had Type 1 diabetes. I was told that my ketones – the chemical that can build up in diabetes – were “off the Richter scale”, and I needed to be admitted to hospital straight away. […]
The American Diabetes Association continues to support the efforts of people campaigning to cap the cost of Insulin.
ADA members have successfully put the issue on the agenda of numerous State legislators. The ADA says the cost of life-saving insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013. Separately the Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC), who are also campaigning to reduce the cost of insulin, have said that they were excited around both President Biden’s State […]
Associations’ News
News from Associate Members of PDGN – national diabetes associations and other not-for-profits BDA Covid Action To overcome Covid restrictions, the Bermuda Diabetic Association has been providing on-line education updates, and innovative programmes for those with diabetes. The pandemic has revealed that more people are without employment and health insurance and requiring free diabetes medicine […]
Eye Care News
Why Regular Eye Checkups Prevent Blindness The relationship between diabetes and eye damage is sometimes overlooked, despite it being a condition that affects the entire body system, including both the internal and external organs like the eye, kidney, heart, and brain. Ophthalmologist Dr. Tunji Oluleye, from the College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria, argues that regular eye […]
Research News in Brief
Gap widens between US and European HbAic* averages Mean HbA1c for people with type 1 diabetes increased in the U.S. from 2011 to 2017, whereas Europe reported a decline among children, according to study data. *By measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the blood, average blood sugar levels can be calculated. https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20220107/gap-in-mean-hba1c-values-growing-between-us-european-nations High blood pressure and […]
Research News
Advocacy Action Wins New Research Funding Following pressure from MPs and patient groups for more investment in diabetes research and care, Australia’s Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Greg Hunt MP, announced that $38 million Australian Dollars ($27.5 U.S.) has been made available for two new medical research centres. It is hoped they […]
Sub-Saharan Africa Study
A study suggesting there are protective effects against cardiovascular disease from a plant based diet has been published in the ‘British Journal of Cancer.’ https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-12724-w
France Asked to Act on Rising Veg Prices
The French Association of Rural Families has published a report showing a sharp increase in fruit and vegetable prices from 2019-2021. The Association is calling for the Government to give subsidies to poorer households to allow them to eat nutritious food. https://www.thelocal.fr/20220121/call-for-fruit-and-veg-grants-as-food-prices-rise-in-france
Nutrition News: Label Action on “Nutri-Grade” Drinks
The Singapore Ministry of Health is consulting over the introduction of new labelling requirements and advertising prohibition to be introduced at the end of 2022. The proposals relate to “Nutri-Grade” beverages sold in Singapore in prepacked form and from automatic beverage dispensers. Nutri-Grade beverages include, but are not limited to, soft drinks, milk and milk […]
U.S. Links to Increased Risk of Diabetes
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has conducted a study that appears to show children who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection are at an increased risk of developing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. According to the results, researchers found a 2.6-fold increase in new diabetes cases among children who had recovered from […]
Diabetes and Covid 19: Links to Covid in Zimbabwe
The Bulawayo City Council Health Services Department has recorded a rise in new diabetes and hypertension cases in 2020 and 2021 that medical experts are claiming are linked to the effects of Covid. Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure rates are above normal. It is the second most prevalent chronic disease in Zimbabwe, affecting around […]
Diabetes Complication Screening
Two donors made it possible for the Bermuda Diabetes Association (BDA) to organize foot screenings by a chiropodist, and retinal eye screening by an ophthalmologist for fifty uninsured people with diabetes. Almost every one screened had uncontrolled hypertension, more than half had elevated HbA1c, and the majority did not see a physician on a regular […]
Global Diabetes Compact
Governments that have stated their support for the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC) are not meeting their targets. The GDC is a world-wide initiative targeted at improving diabetes prevention and care, and to contribute to the global targets to reduce premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third by 2030. The targets are crucial to […]
More Brief News: Depression and Diabetes Support
‘HelloBetter’, a German organisation focused on digital therapy courses, has announced the release of a new online programme that is a reimbursable digital health application (DiGA) for German doctors and patients. The digital therapy course targets people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who suffer from depression. According to ‘HelloBetter’ founder Dr David Ebert, Professor of Psychology and Digital Mental Health […]
Pancreas Transplant Service
Singapore has created a transplant service for Singaporeans, the first in South east Asia for permanent residents who qualify for subsidies under a new national programme. The Ministry of Health hopes that potential patients at all hospitals will be identified and screened for their transplant suitability and to be placed in a waiting list. It […]
Unanimous Support for MP’s Bill
Canadians will finally have a proper legal framework to address the growing problem of diabetes, a disease disproportionately affecting Indigenous Peoples, Canadians of African and South Asian ethnicity, and people with lower income and education. The National Framework for Diabetes (previously reported in Global Advocacy News) is due to be delivered by the end of […]
News In Brief: Access to Tech
A campaign to increase access to new technology for people with insulin dependent diabetes is gaining momentum in South Africa. The South African Diabetes Advocacy, an alliance of all the organisations for people with diabetes in the country, will lodge an appeal this week with the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to make flash glucose […]
More News From Around the Globe: New CGM device for Australians with diabetes
Australians with diabetes will now have access to the next-generation Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), ensuring they can use the latest technology to manage their diabetes. From 1 March, 58,000 eligible Australians participating in the CGM Initiative will have the option of using the new Dexcom G6 CGM device, as the current Dexcom G5 […]
Foot Clinics in Karachi
Pakistan is setting up thirty diabetic-foot clinics in Karachi as concerns grow for the thirty-three million people living with the condition across the country that have led to increasing numbers of amputations. It is estimated that over half a million people could lose a limb due to foot ulcers and other diabetic complications. Dr Zahid […]
Affordable Screening for Children
It only takes a blood test to detect the autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes in children at an early stage and, thus, prevent severe metabolic derailments. A research team from Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now calculated that introducing screening into standard care would probably cost the health care system […]
Type 2 Health Targets Unmet
Fewer than 1 in 5 adults with Type 2 diabetes in the USA are meeting targets to reduce heart disease risk in the country, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and affects around 11 per cent of the population in the USA. […]
Qatar – Advocacy for Children
The first Al-Bawasil camp was held in January 1999 and it has been held every year since. This year a virtual event was held organised by the Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA). The camp involved 40 children with diabetes aged 7 to 11 from nine diabetes associations from Qatar, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, […]
News From Around the Globe
State Advocacy Forum The U.S. Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) has hosted 12 state advocacy forums over the past year. These are virtual events designed to educate advocates on the structure of state government, provide an overview of key topics impacting people with diabetes and share tips on how to be an effective advocate. The 60 […]
Refugee Project Launched
Even before the crisis in Ukraine there were record numbers of refugees around the world. The World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) has called for an holistic approach to meeting the health needs of displaced peoples. The WDF’s mission is to alleviate human suffering related to diabetes among those in greatest need. With record numbers of people […]
New Group in Uganda
Under the leadership of Dr Hon Nicholas Kamara, parliamentarians have formed a new cross-party group to advocate for diabetes within Uganda. He becomes the first Chair of the group comprised of members from 5 different political groups in the Ugandan Parliament. They have agreed to come together under a non-communicable disease (NCD) umbrella to develop […]
100,000 Lives Lost to Diabetes
The U.S. National Clinic Care Commission outlines the Commission’s evidence-based findings and recommendations for improving federal diabetes prevention and treatment programs. It revealed that diabetes claimed 100,000 lives in the USA for the 2nd year in a row. The report was submitted to Congress and the Secretary of Health in January. Advocacy Action: The report […]
More Action Needed on Insulin Access
A World Health Organisation (WHO) report ‘Keeping the 100-year-old Promise – making insulin access universal’ criticises the fact that insulin is still out of reach for many patients. The report lists the main barriers to access being: ● High prices ● Low Availability ● Producers ● Weak Health Systems WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, […]
Advocacy Action on Ukraine
The world has been shocked at the scenes of destruction in Ukraine and the humanitarian tragedy of people fleeing their homes to seek sanctuary in neighbouring countries. Estimates made by the International Diabetes Federation suggest there is a 7.1 percent prevalence the condition in the country, affecting 2,325,000 million people. While some people with the […]
PDGN News: Thanks Guy
PDGN President Guy Barnett has stepped down from the role he was elected to in 2015 to concentrate on his Ministerial responsibilities in the Tasmanian Parliament. He was appointed to the Cabinet in 2016 and is now Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Minister for Resources, Minister for Trade, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for […]
PDGN News: Meet Susan Jackson MP, PDGN’s new President
Susan is a fourth generation Jackson to commit to public service in the Bermuda Parliament. She approaches public service with a deep sense of responsibility and believes trust is the most important ingredient for effective representation and that trust must be earned. Susan first met PDGN Co-Chair, Sir Michael Hirst, at a Bermuda summit on […]
DLC Diabetes Action Plan
The Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) of America has published a ‘Consensus Paper’ on their Diabetes Action Plan that received input from 10 organisations with an interest in Diabetes. Among many issues the plan highlights affordable insulin as the bedrock of diabetes management for 1 in 3 people with diabetes, but recognises that insulin is only […]
News from Associate Members of PDGN – national diabetes associations and other not-for-profits
Changes at the Top The American Diabetes Association has announced that CEO Tracey D. Brown has left the organisation to become President of Retail Products and Chief Customer Officer at Walgreens. A statement from the ADA reads: We are extremely proud of the impact she has led in the transformation of the organization and her […]
Evidence of a Successful Sugar Tax
With more than a quarter of its citizens living with obesity, South Africans are among the top 20 percent of the most obese nations in the world. Around one in eight South African adults – more than 4.5 million people – have diabetes. It was these statistics that persuaded the Parliament of South Africa in 2018 to […]
Whole Grains and Economic Costs
Could whole grains reduce the economic impact of type 2 diabetes? That was the subject of a study in Finland that suggest the increased consumption of whole grain foods could reduce the economic costs of type 2 diabetes. Read more At: https://www.aninews.in/news/lifestyle/food/whole-grains-could-reduce-economic-impact-of-type-2-diabetes-study20211025133923
Nutrition News: Low Carb Diet Recommended
Diabetes featured during India’s ‘National Nutrition Week’ with the advice that a low carb diet is a key to maintaining a healthy blood sugar balance that reduces the risk of expensive and life changing complications. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/national-nutrition-week-low-carb-diet-to-manage-diabetes-7486285/
Lockdowns Good and Bad for Diabetes –
Study finds COVID-19 lockdowns have major impact on diabetes control. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/929786
Research Corner: UK – COVID and Diabetes Link
People with diabetes are no more likely to catch coronavirus than anyone else, but, people with diabetes are more vulnerable to developing a severe illness if they do get coronavirus. Latest information has been compiled by Diabetes UK. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus USA – Progress Made in Congress Diabetes advocates are thanking Congressional representatives in the US for including in the […]
Simple Solution to Malnutrition
Malayasian Member of Parliament, Dr Azman Ismail MP, has raised the issue of malnutrition and linked it to a rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) claiming there is a simple solution. “This doesn’t require huge funds and you don’t need rocket science to go back to our traditional diets” he said when debating the Supply Bill […]
Global Diabetes Compact
The World Health Organisation (WHO) launched the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC) earlier this year. The GDC is a global initiative targeted at improving diabetes prevention and care, and to contribute to the global targets to reduce premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third by 2030, are not meeting their targets. They are crucial […]
Call on Kenyan Government to Lower Insulin Cost
Key gaps in the affordability and availability of insulin in Kenya have been identified in a study conducted by the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). PATH is active in around 70 counties, including Kenya, with a mission to advance health equity through innovation and partnerships. They say that the cost of insulin in […]
Amendments to Moroccan Finance Bill
PDGN Vice-President, Senator Dr Mustafa Brahimi, is proposing a number of amendments to the 2022 health budget with ideas to help prevent diabetes and improve treatment for those with the condition. Senator Brahimi is amending the country’s Finance Bill as it makes its way towards a final vote by the Commission this month. Brahimi want’s […]
World News Continued: National Diabetes Register Call
A Senator in the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) has called for progress on the establishment of a national diabetes register in Ireland. Senator Aisling Dolan referred to diabetes being one of the leading causes of death with one in ten people globally living with the condition. Her case to the Seanad is that without a […]
New Global Atlas
The latest diabetes data from around the world is available in the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas. The 2021 edition has just been published. You can access the latest data for every country is here: https://diabetesatlas.org/
Scotland Rolls Out Check Test on Type 1 Patients
Misdiagnosed type 1 diabetes patients could be freed from the need to take insulin after a new test is rolled out. Scotland will become the first country to offer the C-peptide blood test to all patients who have had a type 1 diagnosis for at least three years. There are about 315,000 people living with […]