Occupational Hazards
Membership of PDGN continues to grow among elected representatives around the world, but the numbers change every time there is an election. Since our last issue there have been elections that we know about in the Lebanon, Malta and Australia. To those who stood down, enjoy your new life, to those who lost their seat […]
Europe Chair
Following the recent general-election in Malta the re-elected Government is resisting calls from the opposition to reinstate a sub-committee of the parliament focussed on diabetes. PDGN European Chair, Claudette Buttigieg MP, was one the key influencers who campaigned for its creation in the last Parliament and re-elected, she has joined the fight to reinstate it. […]
PDGN News: ‘Game Changing’ Research Donation
PDGN has welcomed what is believed to be the largest ever private donation for research into Type 1 diabetes, the £50 million (US $61million) donation by the Steve Morgan Foundation announced at the end of April. The Steve Morgan Foundation was set up by Steve Morgan, founder of the Redrow housebuilding group, and the Foundation […]
New DART Chair
Diabetes Australia has announced the appointment of leading health advocate Lucy Brogden AM (Pictured) as the new Chair of DART, the Diabetes Australia Research Trust. The Trust, which manages the Diabetes Australia Research Program, supports around 60 research projects a year with funding allocations of more than Aus $3 million (US $2million) per annum. The […]
CWD – Type 1 Screening
The importance of screening for type 1 diabetes was the subject of a meeting held during the American Association for Diabetes Scientific Conference in New Orleans last month. Paediatric Endocrinologist Kimber Simmons MD, MS, talked about the stages of type 1 diabetes and the screening options available, and what resources families and people with diabetes […]
State Advocacy Forums
The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition has hosted 12 US 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-minute forums begin with […]
Technology Corner
A presentation at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Conference this June claimed that an intervention program powered by artificial intelligence and data collected by sensors was linked to a type 2 diabetes remission rate of more than 80 percent. https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20220605/most-with-type-2-diabetes-achieve-remission-with-twin-precision-treatment-technology Dexcom announces its newest CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) System https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dexcom-announces-dexcom-one-newest-072900150.html
Research News
USA – Screening for diabetes earlier could reduce racial and ethnic disparities in diagnosis, study finds. https://www.phillyvoice.com/diabetes-screening-racial-ethnic-disparities-asian-hispanic-black-diagnosis-study USA – Investigators from the Pediatric Diabetes Center at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone investigated outcomes disparities as they related to diabetes technology use among youth living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). https://www.ajmc.com/view/there-is-more-to-blame-than-tech-for-t1d-outcomes-disparities-investigators-argue Germany – Research suggests […]
Nutrition News: Call For Mandatory Labelling of Foods
The linking of poor nutrition to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases is well documented. According to Siphiwe Dlamini, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand, writing in ‘The Conversation’, these diseases are likely to become increasingly prevalent in developing countries like South Africa due to rapid and often […]
Whey Protein and type 2
A UK Newcastle University study suggests Whey protein supplements may help people with Type 2 diabetes. Whey is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. It is a by-product of the manufacturing of cheese or casein and has several commercial uses. Whey protein contains and incredible range of essential amino acids. Consuming […]
EU News
In May the European Parliament’s Mobilising for Diabetes (MMD) group held a joint event with the MEP Heart Group on ‘Supporting ambitious Diabetes and CVD Roadmaps in the context of the ‘Healthier Together – EU NCD Initiative’. Link below. https://www.mepinterestgroupdiabetes.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MMD-WEBINAR-REPORT_May-2.pdf Advocacy Action: Are there other health groups within your legislature whom you could work with […]
Maltese Ombudsman Ruling
An Ombudsman ruling found that free glucose monitors should be given to people of all ages. The Health Ombudsman’s ruling stated that limiting the supply of free Continuous Glucose Monitor by age is discriminatory. Advocacy Action: Do you have an Ombudsman system or final arbiter mechanism who could investigate and make findings after other avenues […]
The Caribbean
The Caribbean is one of the most obese sub-regions in the world according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) being the leading cause of premature death. The figures are significantly higher than the global average of 70 percent – with over 80 percent of deaths in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua […]
More News in Brief: Event Attracts Media Attention
A very successful event was held by Members of Parliament in the UK who invited constituents with diabetes to enter an art exhibition with entries displayed at the House of Commons. The event generated a great deal of media attention for both the exhibitors and for their Members of Parliament. It formed part of a […]
More News In Brief
Diabetic Retinopathy in 30% of Italian Patients At a meeting during the XI National Conference of the AMD Foundation held in Rome, Graziano Di Cianni, president of the Association of Diabetic Doctors in Italy (ADDI) raised concerns that 30 percent of patients with diabetes are also affected by diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious […]
Diabetes screening based on race, ethnicity may lead to more equitable care
Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans may be at risk of developing diabetes at lower weights and younger ages than white Americans, according to a study in Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers said the findings highlight the need to update screening recommendations based on race and ethnicity. https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20220602/diabetes-screening-based-on-race-ethnicity-may-lead-to-more-equitable-care US Fact – According to the Centers for Disease […]
Eyesight Risk
A 50 month study of diabetes in India found that one in every twenty five people above the age of 40 with the condition have vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy – one of the most common complications of poorly or uncontrolled diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the […]
Global News in Brief: Only 1 in 3 have Control
A new study, link below, has revealed that only one in three diabetes patients in India have their blood sugar levels under control. The Indian Council of Medical Research decade-long study published in The Lancet (Diabetes and Endocrinology) in April, found that only 36.3 percent of known diabetics have their A1c levels (average blood glucose level over […]
United Kingdom
Mary Kelly Foy, MP for the UK City of Durham, has thrown her support behind a new campaign by local primary care doctors, Dr Paul Baker and Dr Amanda Porch, to cut the cost of diabetes care for the National Health Service (NHS). The MP whose seat is in the North-East of England, has a […]
More News From Around the World
Diabetes Election Issues in Australia During the recent Australian election the two main parties vied with one another on polices for people with diabetes. Diabetes has maintained a high profile within Australian politics thanks to the work of elected members in the cross-party diabetes group and by Diabetes Australia. The latter made a statement during […]
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 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 […]
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) […]