WHO Support for Soda Taxes
The World Health Organisation has published a global list of countries in its WHO Manual that have introduced taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, and is calling on all countries to tax sugar drinks in order to save lives. Eighty-five countries are listed as having some form of sugar taxation in the WHO Manual, with several countries […]
EU Effort to Reduce Medicine Costs
In search of more affordable medicines, the European Commission has proposed increase competition and to make generic and bio-similar medicines more readily available across the European Union. The use of generic and substitution drugs is well established in some EU countries, but not others and range from nearly 70 percent in Italy to under 20 […]
Questions Around Weight Loss Drugs
Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro, is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is administered through subcutaneous injections (under the skin). Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, is an antidiabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. A study into weight […]
1.3 billion with Diabetes by 2050!
A series of studies published in ‘The Lancet’ estimates that the number of people living with diabetes will double by 2050. The researchers predict more than 1.3 billion people could suffer from the disease in 30 years – up from 529 million in 2021 – if there is no effort to address what they describe […]
Social Prescribing Gaining Ground
Social prescribing is an approach that connects people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing, including healthy food. Following pilot schemes in the UK some U.S. health care providers have been experimenting with the idea. Under “food is medicine” programs, free, […]
Draft Bill Published
A Draft Bill on Health Insurance Scheme is being debated by the Ugandan Parliament. It stipulates that all Ugandans aged 18 and above will have to enrol and pay premium to the proposed national health Insurance Scheme. For those below 18 and are dependents, their parents or guardians will have to pay for them. Premium for […]
Pan American Ministers Agree NCD Policy
Ministers and health authorities in the ‘Region of the Americas’ have agreed to promote a series of interventions targeted at children, adolescents, and young adults aimed at preventing the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes – the leading causes of ill health, disability, and death in the Region. Agreement was reached at the 60th […]
Income Levels and Diabetes
Data has revealed a strong correlation between income levels and the incidence of diabetes in South Korea. A collaborative research group involving two universities and two hospitals in the country classified 7.82 million adults aged between 30 and 64, who did not have type 2 diabetes, according to their income levels in 2012. The group […]
More PDGN News: Spotlight on Spotlight AQ
CAPTION: Spotlight AQ founder, Professor Katherine Barnard-Kelly PhD PDGN and Spotlight AQ have teamed up for an event at this year’s Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) Conference, 4th August, in Houston. Spotlight AQ’s Professor Katherine Barnard-Kelly PhD and PDGN Secretary General Adrian Sanders will be running a session on reducing health inequalities […]
IDF and the WHO
Breaking Barriers for Better Access to Diabetes Care Under the auspices of the World Health Organisation a hybrid event took place in Geneva, during the 76th WHO Assembly and was livestreamed via Zoom. Participants learned about the WHO Global Diabetes Compact potential to unite efforts in preventing diabetes, reducing risks and ensuring equitable and affordable […]
Policy Briefings for Law Makers
This spring, the US-based Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) delivered policy briefings for federal policymakers in Washington DC, highlighting diabetes community needs through the voice of patients, caregivers and clinicians. Presentations addressed gaps in access and affordability of diabetes treatment and innovation, and the landscape of actionable solutions for the new Congress. In March, DLC […]
Parliamentary Friends of Nutrition Group Formed
A Parliamentary Group has been formed in the Australian Parliament to raise awareness of the importance of nutrition for a healthy life, and to highlight the areas of most need for equity, improved access and affordability to high-quality nutrition. The group is Co-Chaired by Senator Helen Polley (Labor) and Bridget Archer MP (Liberal), who have […]
Insulin Fears Allayed
Fear that fast-acting insulin ‘Fiasp’ used by approximately 14,000 people with Type 1 diabetes in Australia would be withdrawn have been allayed, at least temporarily. This followed an outcry from patients, politicians and advocacy groups. PDGN highlighted the issue on its social media pages at the time the news broke that the insulins would be […]
Jamaican Healthy Lifestyle Campaign Launched
With an estimated 236,000 people, or nine per cent of the population with diabetes, a study found that only 106,000 of Jamaicans are aware of their status. These alarming statistics have prompted the Health and Wellness Ministry of Jamaica to announce an initiative to help determine the health status of people through a screening programme. […]