Diabetes and Kidney Disease Briefing

A policy brief by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) offers information on the links between diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). It includes recommendations for effectively preventing, managing and treating diabetes and CKD. You can download and watch the webinar to use in advocacy activities.

Nutrition and NCDs

An article in the Times of India covers the role of nutrition in managing chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease and offers a list of 10 suggestions to reduce the risk of such Non-Communicable Diseases. Advocacy Action: Can you use any of the ten suggestions in the article below to example how diabetes […]

Jordan Publishes Its National Nutrition Strategy

The Kingdom of Jordan’s 2023- 2030 National Nutrition Strategy indicates a high level of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in addition to an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity across all age groups in the country. Findings suggest the country’s nutrition transition towards a diet higher in energy dense, highly-processed foods and beverages, and lower in […]

Good News

Cardiovascular health official, Dr Pascal Bovet allayed the fears by explaining that risks for such illnesses in Seychelles have decreased, however, with a growing and ageing population numbers will appear larger. “We have evidence here in Seychelles that the risks have also decreased – a 45-year-old man now has less risks of  cardiovascular diseases  than […]

Seychelles Survey on NCDs

The Seychelles’ health ministry has launched a population-based survey on cardiovascular diseases  and  other  non-communicable diseases to assess the distribution of health behaviours, diet and main risk factors in the whole population. The survey, which is being conducted between mid-August and December 2023 and will help local health authorities start the process to establish a better database on cardiovascular […]

Obesity Debate

Speaking at the first-ever debate on preventing obesity and fatty liver disease in the UK Parliament, London Ealing Southall MP, Virendra Sharma (Labour) said: “[It] is a public health emergency. Liver disease mortality rates are outpacing those for other major conditions, such as diabetes or respiratory conditions.” In addition to fatty liver disease, obesity can […]

Funding for Patient Group

As one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting approximately 3.6 million Canadians, with more than 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year, diabetes affects the lives of many beyond these statistics. PDGN Vice-President Sonia Sidhu MP, joined a session on diabetes at the World Non-Communicable Diseases Congress in Toronto. She attended on behalf of JeanYves […]

Hospital Admissions due to Diabetes

30 percent of Hospital Admissions in Trinidad & Tobago due to diabetes Trinidad and Tobago Senator, Charrise Seepersad, raised her concern that 30 per cent of admissions to TT’s hospitals were due to diabetes. Speaking in the Senate during the mid-year budget review, she proposed the consumption of wholesome, locally-grown foodstuffs to counter rising rates […]

Combating NCDs in Namibia

Namibia’s Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula called for a need to ramp up interventions and strategies aimed at combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. He has highlighted the promotion of physical activity and adopting a healthy diet, specifically targeting the reduction of salt, sugar, and trans-fat intake to address obesity and […]

Diabetes and Heart Failure

Diabetes appears to play a critical role in the progression from preclinical heart failure to overt heart failure, according to a poster presented at the ADA Scientific Sessions. The researchers, Dr. Justin B. Echouffo Tcheugi, and colleagues, observed 383 heart failure events and 730 deaths over the 8.6 years of follow-up. Overall, the study showed […]

Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease

In the US alone, up to two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes develop heart disease in their lifetime. A new study published at the conference found that a coordinated care approach improves care for people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Advocacy Action: What are the statistics in your country for type 2 diabetes […]

Distress Linked to Diabetes

Research presented to the Conference suggested that in any 18-month period, a third to half of people with diabetes experience heightened levels of distress related to their condition and levels of depression among people with diabetes are up to three times more likely. The research also claimed that less than half of those who suffer receive […]

Sugar Taxes Nigeria

The Nigerian federal government says it is committed to attain the global best practice of nearly 20 per cent taxation on the final retail price on all sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). With non-communicable diseases believed to be the leading cause of death in Nigeria and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, evidence-based interventions are being recommended by […]

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 […]

Barbados Introduces Food Pack Warnings

Following a collaborative effort involving parliamentarians and several patient health groups, together with the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Barbados has introduced front of food package warnings. The introduction of a Front-of-Package Warning Label System (FOPWLS) will have a significant positive impact on the non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis in Barbados, says Minister of Health, Senator The Most […]

Type One Breakthrough

In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Provention Bio’s immune therapy indicated to delay the onset of presently incurable type 1 diabetes (T1D). Teplizumab, an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, is the first approved therapy shown to delay the progression to stage 3 T1D for some people at high risk of developing the condition. […]

Higher Risk of Kidney Disease in African-Caribbean People with Type 1 Diabetes

A study published in Diabetes Care show that ethnicity is a risk factor in people with type 1 diabetes developing kidney disease. The findings also indicate that people of African-Caribbean heritage living with diabetes have nearly a 60% greater risk of advanced kidney disease. It is believed to be the first study in type 1 […]

News from Around the World

Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness aims to realign its health education and promotion infrastructure to place greater focus on the preventive rather than the curative aspect of health care. CAPTION: “Jamaica must shift health care towards prevention,” says Dunstan Bryan. The objective is to more effectively address the problem of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

WDD reports continued.

Spain – In Valencia, Spain, an annual event marking WDD took place. The V111 Race Walk took place in Alicante on 14 November. Its aim is to highlight diabetes, promote healthy lifestyles. The walk, or run, is over 5 kilometres and starts in the morning from the beach at San Juan. It was carried out […]

Nigerian Campaign for a 20 percent tax on Sugary Drinks

A coalition of non-governmental organisations, has urged the Nigerian Federal and State governments to place a 20 percent tax on sugary drinks and sugarsweetened beverages in the country. The coalition warned that the lack of excise duties on sugar-sweetened beverages could lead to a spike in the already worsening occurrences of diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, […]

High Burden of Undiagnosed or Poorly Controlled NCDs

A comprehensive health-screening program in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has found a high burden of undiagnosed or poorly controlled non-communicable diseases, according to a study published in The Lancet Global Health. Researchers found that four out of five women over the age of 30 were living with a chronic health condition, and that the […]

NCD’s Hit Kenyan Incomes

According to Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Health, rising cases of cancers, diabetes, epilepsy and sickle cell disease, known as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in young people are contributing to a decrease of a third in Kenyan household incomes. In July this year, the country embarked on a five-year national strategic […]

Nutrition News

Healthy Food Beyond the Purse of South African Families Healthy food is too expensive for many South African families increasing the risks of poor health from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic respiratory diseases and obesity. These account for over half (51 percent) of all death in South […]

Sudan – Impending Health Disaster Predicted

Strike action by doctors, that would be unprecedented in many western health care systems, is being carried out in sheer frustration at medicine shortages, lack of funding, insecurity and what has been described as an “impending health disaster”? The number of COVID-19 cases combined with existing challenges on the Sudanese health care system has gone […]

Half a Billion People with Diabetes and 90 percent Not Receiving Proper Care

A University of Michigan and Brigham and Women’s Hospital study has calculated that ninety per cent of people with diabetes living in low- and middle-income countries do not receive the kind of care that could make their lives healthier, longer and more productive. The US study, published in the journal Lancet Healthy Longevity, showed that […]

WHO Global Diabetes Compact Launched

The World Health Organisation held an international summit in April at which a Global Compact, focussing on setting global coverage targets for diabetes care was launched. A key aim of the Global Diabetes Compact is to unite key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, and, critically, people who live with diabetes, around a common […]

Academic Partnership with Diabetes Africa

Nigeria’s University of Abuja has entered into a partnership with Diabetes Africa, to address the dearth of diabetologists and other health care professionals who play a critical role in the study and management of diabetes. The hope is to establish a network of health professionals through a diabetes educational programme aimed at improving the quality […]

NCDs Behind Seven in Ten Deaths

According to the World Health Organisation, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) now make up seven of the world’s top ten causes of death. The data covers two decades within the period from 2000 to 2019 and shows an increase from 4 of the 10 leading causes in 2000. The trends indicate the need for greater efforts to […]

Kenya: Fresh Launch for Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage Programme

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe (pictured) has said the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme will be launched afresh to serve Kenyans better.UHC, whose pilot phase was launched in December 2018 by President Uhuru Kenyatta. It is intended to ensure all Kenyans have access to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services at minimum financial […]

Zimbabwe: Nurses Behind Better NCD Management

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are estimated to account for 31% of total deaths, with diabetes, hypertension and asthma as the main killers in Zimbabwe. The country has been facing a number of challenges most notably in the health sector. Healthcare workers are overwhelmed and doctors, especially in rural areas, are scarce. Millions of Zimbabweans are disconnected […]

Africa News Special

High Blood Pressure and Diabetes top Covid Killers in Africa A World Health Organisation (WHO) analysis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in 14 countries across Africa found that hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and asthma are the comorbidities most associated with Covid-19 deaths. In Kenya, around half of Covid-19 deaths were of people with NCDs while in […]