International Diabetes Experts Call for Stepped-Up Action and Shared Responsibility to Curb Rising Global Diabetes Epidemic and Impact

International Diabetes Experts Call for Stepped-Up Action and Shared Responsibility to Curb Rising Global Diabetes Epidemic and Impact

November 14, 2007

To Mark First-Ever United Nations World Diabetes Day,
Experts Publish Practical Guidance to Help Achieve Mission
of UN Resolution on Diabetes

    NEW YORK, Nov. 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Global
Partnership for Effective Diabetes Management today called
for an overhaul in the world's attitude and approach toward
diabetes treatment and prevention in order to reverse the
rising diabetes epidemic recently recognised by the first
United Nations (UN) World Diabetes Day.  In a new
publication titled UN Resolution on Diabetes: "Time to
Put Fine Words into Action," the Global Partnership
urges national governments, the general population and the
global diabetes community to take action and share
responsibility in the global fight against diabetes.  The
new publication appears in the December issue of the
International Journal of Clinical Practice and is currently
available online at the journal's Web site
(http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/toc/ijcp/61/s157). 

    "The UN Resolution is a major milestone as it
recognises diabetes as a serious, growing and costly threat
to individual and world health.  The staggering statistics
of this disease show that there is absolutely no room for
complacency," said Martin Silink, International
Diabetes Federation President and campaign lead for the UN
Resolution on Diabetes.  "In order for the UN
Resolution to have true significance and real-world impact,
we must join together to effectively implement proactive
initiatives such as those outlined in the Global
Partnership's publication."

    Comprised of leading international diabetes experts,
the Global Partnership is a global task force committed to
providing practical advice to improve diabetes care.  In
the new publication, the experts respond to the UN
Resolution's call to action by offering practical guidance
to inspire and empower all members of the diabetes
community to take action to improve diabetes care -- from
healthcare providers, to patients, to national governments.
 These examples highlight the benefits of early and
intensive intervention to prevent diabetes complications;
focus on the value of a team approach to disease management
with the patient at the centre for better results; and
underscore the need for changes in health policy and
practice to deliver a long-term, lasting impact on patient
and public health worldwide.

    "If we don't take action now, by 2025 almost 400
million people will be living with diabetes globally. 
Clearly, current approaches to diabetes prevention and care
are not working well enough," said Professor Stefano
Del Prato, chair of the Global Partnership and professor of
endocrinology at the University of Pisa, Italy.  "No
single patient, physician, government or region is equipped
to confront diabetes alone.  It is critical to address this
public health crisis in a shared, multidisciplinary way to
motivate and to empower individuals with diabetes to take
control of their condition."

    UN Resolution on Diabetes: "Time to Put Fine Words
into Action"

    To bring about a positive, meaningful impact on the
global diabetes epidemic, the international experts
advocate for the following actions from key stakeholders in
diabetes care.  These principles alone are not radical, but
if implemented and sustained globally, they lay the
groundwork for a worldwide revolution in diabetes
prevention and management.

    PRINCIPLES FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN DIABETES CARE 

     * Diabetes should be prioritized as a public health
initiative.
     * There is a need for unified policies to facilitate
exchange of best 
       practice, raise awareness and implement effective
prevention 
       programmes.
     * Collaborative efforts between global and regional
diabetes
       associations and governments enable improved,
earlier and more 
       intensive diabetes care with improved outcomes. 
Non-governmental 
       organisations can be an important third pillar
supporting the   
       foundation for a change in diabetes care.
     * Improved public understanding is critical for early
diagnosis and 
       prevention of diabetes.
     * Successful public awareness in primary prevention
measures should 
       adopt a holistic, multidisciplinary approach with
comprehensive
       diabetes training for healthcare professionals to
ensure consistency  
       of information.
     * A patient-centred management strategy has proven
successful in 
       motivating individuals to actively self-manage their
condition.
     * Prevention programmes should encompass the wider
problem of obesity 
       and sedentary lifestyles and involve other sectors
including food  
       industries.
     * Regular reporting and benchmarking are important to
assess the impact 
       of new strategies.

    "By changing the way we approach diabetes, we can
make a difference in preventing this disease, slowing its
progression and reducing its devastating
complications," stressed Professor Del Prato. 
"By building understanding of diabetes, fostering a
multidisciplinary team approach with shared goals and
responsibilities backed by a supportive infrastructure; and
implementing coordinated campaigns of complementary
activities, we can build long-term improvements in diabetes
care." 

    Global Prevalence of Diabetes

    Worldwide, diabetes currently affects 246 million
people.  By 2025, it is expected to affect almost 400
million and the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates
increases in diabetes rates will occur in developing
countries because of population growth, ageing, unhealthy
diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles.  Further, WHO
estimates that in 2025, most people with diabetes in
developed countries will be aged 65 years or older, while
in developing countries most people aged 35 to 64 will be
affected in their most productive years.  The International
Diabetes Federation (IDF) predicts that in this same time
frame, the largest prevalence of diabetes will be in
developing countries.

    About World Diabetes Day

    World Diabetes Day, organized by IDF and supported by
WHO, is the primary global awareness campaign of the
diabetes world.  It brings together millions of people in
more than 160 countries and was introduced in response to
concern over the escalating incidence of diabetes around
the world.

    About The Global Partnership for Effective Diabetes
Management

    The Global Partnership for Effective Diabetes
Management is a multidisciplinary taskforce of
internationally respected diabetes experts from leading
institutions and diabetes organisations, committed to
improving treatment outcomes for people with type 2
diabetes.  Through educational initiatives, the group aims
to provide healthcare professionals with the guidance and
support to help increase the proportion of their patients
who achieve recommended treatment goals for glucose
control. 

    About GlaxoSmithKline

    GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading
research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies --
is committed to improving the quality of human life by
enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. 
For company information, visit http://www.gsk.com. 


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