PDGN News
A growing number of national diabetes associations have joined the PDGN as associate members. Large associations such as the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes Australia, small ones such as the Bermuda Diabetes and Maltese Diabetes Associations, alongside professional associations such as the Foundation of European Nurses in Diabetes (FEND) have all joined. Their Associate Membership […]
Rising Autoimmune Numbers
Diabetes is considered to be an autoimmune condition and rising rates of such conditions are costing health care systems more each year. In the UK Connect Immune Research, a coalition of medical research charities, said many autoimmune conditions are becoming more common, with some increasing in incidence by as much as 9% each year. Published […]
PDGN Patron, the Hon Judi Moylan OA reports from Australia on a number of wins with the Government.
The Government has approved funding of over AUS $9 million to rollout a program in schools for children with Type 1 diabetes alongside other announcements in the Australian Government Budget 2018/19 including AUS $125 million for heart and diabetes research. Judi is working as co-chair with Professor Paul Zimmet on the Implementation Reference Group who were […]
Workers with Diabetes Face Discrimination
According to glucose monitoring system manufacturer Dexcom, employees with diabetes often feel discriminated against with almost a third believing the condition has damaged their career. It has been claimed that one in five people with diabetes have faced disciplinary action for missing work. Advocacy Action – what is the situation in your country? Could you […]
Focus on Africa
The theme of this year’s World Diabetes Day was ‘The Family and Diabetes’ and organisations collaborated across the continent to mark the occasion and promote prevention, diagnosis and treatments. Here are just a few brief examples. A three day conference at the Ibn Tofeil University in Kenitra city, Morocco, was held. PDGN Vice-President Senator Mostafa […]
Middle East has the highest Prevalence of Type 2 diabetes
An estimated 37 million people in the Middle East have Type 2 diabetes with the prevalence estimated at 9.7%, of the population. The region is now believed to have highest prevalence of diabetes in the world. AstraZeneca announced the results from a trial, which included more than 17,000 patients across 882 sites in 33 countries. In […]
INSULIN RATIONING!
PDGN has been tracking the rise in insulin costs and alarming stories appearing in reputable publications about patients rationing their insulin and fears of future shortages. In the USA there is growing anger over the rising cost of insulin leading to some people with diabetes not taking it as directed. According to Reuters a survey […]
Technology Corner: Closed Loop Systems
A Swedish study suggests advanced hybrid closed-loop insulin monitoring and delivery systems are cost-effective for patients with type 1 diabetes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34596879 Also, Children with type 1 diabetes who used an advanced hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system for 1 year achieved an average time in range of 74%, surpassing clinical consensus guidelines, according to European data […]
One in Five Workers With Diabetes Face Discrimination
A study in the UK for Dexcom – the glucose monitoring system manufacturer – found employees with diabetes often feel discriminated against at work with almost a third believing the condition has damaged their career. This is despite the UK having some of the most advanced employment disability legislation in the world. The survey of […]
PDGN News
A growing number of national diabetes associations are joining PDGN as associate members. Large associations such as the American Diabetes Association and Diabetes Australia, small ones such as the Bermuda Diabetes and Maltese Diabetes Associations, alongside professional associations such as the Foundation of European Nurses in Diabetes (FEND) have all joined. Their Associate Membership fee […]
NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Pakistan – Half of Pakistan population at risk of diabetes! https://nation.com.pk/08-May-2018/half-of-pakistan-population-at-risk-of-diabetes USA – Why insulin costs are rising. https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2018-06-29/whats-behind-the-rising-costs-of-insulin Commonwealth Countries – Health Ministers propose more action on preventing non-communicable diseases. http://www.asiantribune.com/node/91856 India – Study finds diabetes has become an epidemic in India, needs urgent attention http://www.asianage.com/life/health/170618/study-finds-diabetes-has-become-an-epidemic-in-india-needs-urgent-attention.html UK – NHS audit finds 90% of people […]
The 14th November will soon be upon us
‘The Family and Diabetes’ was defined as the theme for the World Diabetes Day Campaign 2018 – 2019. If you haven’t anything planned yet, talk to your national diabetes association about how you can get involved. By working together you can raise the profile of diabetes on WDD and all year round.
Food Insecurity Link to Diabetes
A Canadian study has claimed that the average risk of developing type 2 diabetes doubles when someone cannot afford to eat regularly or eat a healthy diet. The study, published by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, defines household food insecurity as having uncertain or insufficient food access due […]
RAISING THE PROFILE
Australian politicians – or ‘Pollies’ as they call them down under – joined Diabetes Australia to launch the ‘It’s About Time’ campaign. The week-long campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and early treatment for all types of diabetes. For those ‘Pollies’ who got involved, like the Co-Chair of the Parliamentary […]
PDGN NEWS
● After a long bureaucratic exchange PDGN has achieved Charitable Registration in the UK. ● PDGN is now planning to hold the postponed 2018 Forum in Malta next February. Further news and details to follow. ● Several national Diabetes Associations have joined PDGN as Associate Members for a small fee commensurate with their size. Has […]
NEWS IN BRIEF
USA – News from the Senate Diabetes Caucus – http://observerme.com/2018/01/25/a-policy-change-that-will-improve-the-lives-of-millions-with-diabetes/ India – UK consultant Dr Partha Kar wonders: ‘Will the digital age bring about a change in diabetes care in India’ https://www.telegraphindia.com/science/on-a-sweet-note-192483 United Kingdom – URL https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Professionals/News-updates/APPG-for-diabetes-report-on-the-Future-of-Inpatient-Diabetes-Care Malaysia – Obesity among Asia-Pacific kids a growing health crisis http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/04/09/researchers-obesity-among-asia-pacific-kids-a-growing-health-crisis/ France – The French Federation of Diabetics […]
John Bowis OBE – New Board Member and Trustee
PDGN is pleased to welcome former UK Health Minister and MEP John Bowis OBE to the Board and as a Trustee of PDGN’s charitable arm. John has a most impressive CV of successful health advocacy in the UK and EU. President: Health First Europe; Vice-President, European Health Forum Gastein; Chair Health Advisory Board, GSK; Adviser […]
IMPACT
The European arm of the International Diabetes Federation – IDF Europe – is transforming the ExPAND project into a new initiative called IMPACT. Hopefully the ExPAND toolkit that is a very useful resource for advocates will continue to be available on the IDF website. IMPACT hopes to get the support of policy makers at a […]
WHAT WILL YOU DO FOR WDD?
World Diabetes Day (WDD) has been running annually on November 14 since 1991. It began in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by the illness. In 2006 WWD became an official United Nations Day, and the campaign reaches a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. […]
SUGAR TAXES?
Do sugar taxes change the behaviour of consumers? There is evidence on both sides but one development that is welcomed is how the taxes change the amount of sugar manufacturers add to their products, even those who market zero sugar alternatives. The UK is the latest country to introduce a sugar tax following a long […]
News In Brief
Latest statistics show dramatic variations across the UK, and less than half of those with diabetes achieve UK recommended treatment targets – URL: http://diabetestimes.co.uk/latest-national-diabetes-audit-results-published/ Diabetes has become one of America’s most expensive diseases – URL: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/health-and-medicine/article130487694.html As the diabetes burden rises in India, experts call for a pan-India diabetic policy – URL: http://everylifecounts.ndtv.com/as-diabetesburden-rises-in-indiaexperts-call-for-pan-india-diabetic-policy-10579
Welcome New Members
Following a visit from PDGN Co-Chair Sir Michael Hirst to the Lebanon, 14 MPs have joined PDGN to form a powerful caucus advocating for diabetes. Can we help you in your country or region to recruit more advocates and support them? If your Parliament or national diabetes association can arrange an invitation, we can provide […]
Congratulations Florian
PDGN Vice-President Senator Florian Bodog has been appointed Minister of Health in the Romanian Parliament.
Twitter Success
PDGN’s twitter account has over 300 followers. Are you one of them? Our account attempts to keep followers in touch with news from across the globe offering insights into developments affecting both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. You will find us here: @PDGN_Diabetes
HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Australian Government announced on the 1st April 2017 that people with type 1 diabetes will have access to free glucose monitoring devices under a federal government program. The $54 million program has been praised as a ‘life-changer’ by Diabetes Australia (DA). “This will benefit around 4,000 Australian families with a child or young person […]
IT’S MALTA
The 2018 PDGN Forum is planned for the 11th to the 14th May, 2018, in the European Capital of Culture 2018, Valetta, Malta. Please put the date in your diary now. PDGN will be contacting national diabetes associations to request up to two names of elected representatives who have championed diabetes in their country. PDGN […]
Diabetes and Indigenous communities
The Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation received $500,000 grant to develop an innovative, Indigenous-led social finance model to reduce diabetes. The Vancouver based Raven Indigenous Impact Foundation (RIIF) has announced plans to create a Diabetes Reduction Bond – an innovative model for designing and financing diabetes interventions in Canada and around the world. Using a Can$500,000 […]
New Zealand Glucose Monitoring Campaign
A strong patient led campaign for glucose monitoring reimbursement has gained ground in New Zealand. Diabetes New Zealand asked people with diabetes to post on social media about the burden they carry with the condition. https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/128048868/diabetes-nz-campaigns-nationally-for-glucose-monitors Advocacy Action: Do you use social media to enlist public support for your campaigns? Can you join existing networks […]
900 Try an Artificial Pancreas
Nearly 900 patients in England with Type 1 diabetes have been given a hybrid closed-loop system (HCL) artificial pancreas in a pilot study to test the effectiveness of the technology. An HCL continually monitors blood glucose and automatically adjusts the amount of insulin that is given through a pump. The trial is being run in […]
Diabetes Risk of 57 Other Chronic Disease
According to the UK’s Guardian newspaper, a recent study found that type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing 57 other health conditions, including cancer, kidney disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Through a comprehensive study focusing on people over the age of 30 with type 2 diabetes, researchers at the University of Cambridge found that these […]
NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
A tax on sugary drinks sold in Seattle has produced more money than expected. Now City Hall is sorting out how best to put the healthy revenue from unhealthy — without moderation! — beverages back into the community. http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2018/09/seattles-sweetened-beverage-tax-producing-healthier-than-expected-returns/ PDGN Vice-President Senator Mostafa Brahimi is winning his long battle to reduce obesity and prevent Type […]
Patient Pocket Calculator
A great example of partnership working for the benefit of patients that in principle could be replicated across any health care system. The Patient Pocket Protector Coalition (PPPC) works with state legislators to introduce patient-first policies addressing the financial burdens of the 133 million Americans living with chronic illnesses, beginning with pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) […]