Diabetes is growing explosively, with 380 million people worldwide expected to have diabetes by 2025. On 20th December 2006, all 192 countries at the UN passed a landmark Resolution to recognise diabetes as a global threat. For the first time, governments worldwide are elevating diabetes to the same threat level as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The Forum gathered policymakers, government officials, international organisations, patient organisations, healthcare professionals, people with diabetes and media from 20 countries.
Discussion focussed on how Governments and health organisations around the world can act to develop sustainable health policies and design health systems to identify people with diabetes and improve outcomes through appropriate available treatment.
Prominent speakers addressed the Forum, including former US President Bill Clinton who recognised diabetes as a threat to developed and developing countries as potent as Aids. "Diabetes is a global challenge which transcends partisan politics" he said.
Participants agreed that there is no single answer to the diabetes pandemic and that combating diabetes requires multiple actions at all stages - from prevention to the treatment of serious complications - and a full cycle approach.
Lars Rebien Sorensen, Chief Executive of Nove Nordisk who hosted the Forum, said: "Only by placing the person at the heart of diabetes care and rethinking the healthcare systems around transparency and measurability, can this silent killer be defeated."
Mr Dunne, who represented the UK as Vice Chairman of the All-Part Parliamentary Group on Diabetes added: "Diabetes is spreading very rapidly through increasing prevalence of insulin dependency (type 1 for which the cause is unknown) and increased obesity rates (type 2). Much more needs to be done to raise awareness and encourage healthier lifestyles particularly amongst the young. This was an important step in developing a response to the UN resolution for action in all countries to slow the spread of diabetes. It is not only the hidden killer in our midst but also the largest single threat to healthcare costs worldwide - so each country has a real incentive to act"
Photo: Former President Bill Clinton and Philip Dunne MP attend global diabetes conference
