The European Perspective of Diabetes Prevention

Abstract

The dramatic increase in newly diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes is a major public health concern within the European Union. However, it has been demonstrated that prevention programmes can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes. There is a clear consensus amongst healthcare professionals that action is urgently needed at both EU and community levels. The challenge is to implement proven intervention methods effectively into clinical reality. To achieve this, action is needed not only in the field of policy development but also in the development of targeted intervention programmes, which address the needs of people with an increased diabetes risk, clinical- and community-based healthcare professionals, and the general population. The Diabetes Prevention Forum (DPF), founded by the European region of the International Diabetes Federation, consists of European diabetes experts from a range of backgrounds. The DPF is taking immediate action to co-ordinate and improve the information flow between all relevant stakeholders to enable more effective communication, so helping to improve the ability to prevent type 2 diabetes in Europe.

Key words

Diabetes Prevention Forum - type 2 diabetes - prevention - European Union - clinical practice - International Diabetes Federation

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1 The Diabetes Prevention Forum members include:

• Michael Hall, UK, IDF Europe (Chair)

• Lex Herrebrugh, Belgium, Regional Manager, IDF Europe

• Mary Banotti, Ireland, former MEP, EU Diabetes Working Group

• Frédérique Duval, France, Association Française des Diabétiques

• Anne-Marie Felton, UK, Federation of European Nurses in Diabetes; Vice-President IDF

• Liisa Hiltunen, Finland, Finnish Diabetes Association

• Aldo Maldonato, Italy, Committee for Therapeutic Education (ComET)

• Frederik Muylle, Belgium, Flemish Diabetes Association

• João Nabais, Portugal, IDF Europe

• Peter Schwarz, Germany, Carl Gustav Carus Medical Faculty, Dresden

• Paul Valensi, France, Hôpital Jean Verdier

1 Further information about the DPF is available at www.diabetespreventionforum.org

Correspondence