COPENHAGEN — The European Association for the Study of Diabetes voiced its support for obtaining a United Nations resolution on diabetes aimed at preventing, slowing the progression of, and ultimately identifying a cure for the disease.
“Diabetes is killing more people on this planet than infectious diseases—including HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, and deaths from hunger put together. Politicians have to act now,” said Dr. Jørn Nerup of the University of Copenhagen and the Steno Diabetes Center in Gentofte, Denmark, at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Dr. Nerup is a spokesperson for EASD.
The “Unite for Diabetes” campaign for a U.N. resolution on diabetes was launched last February by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), which represents 192 national diabetes associations worldwide. The IDF aims to get the resolution passed by the U.N. General Assembly by the end of 2007.
Among other things, the resolution would stipulate that all U.N. member countries implement national policies for the care and prevention of diabetes, as well as fund research on the disease.
“The global health catastrophe [of diabetes] is not coming; it's here,” said Dr. Martin Silink of the Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes in Westmead, Australia, and president-elect of the IDF.
He said it is estimated that there will be 380 million people worldwide with diabetes by the year 2025, with a “crippling” impact on health care and the economy.
No major European countries or the United States have yet formally backed the IDF campaign, but all have been approached and are considering adding their support, Dr. Silink said. He added that he expects the European countries to come up with a general European Union position. “I am aware this discussion is going on,” he said in an interview. In total, 30 countries have expressed their “high level,” if not formal, support, he noted, including formal commitments from Slovenia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Georgia. “The more developed a country's health care system, the more carefully they will read and consider the wording,” Dr. Silink said.
“Lots of cases of diabetes can be prevented; complications from diabetes can often be prevented; and, even if there are complications, they can be effectively treated early. The tools are there, but the mind-set is not,” Dr. Nerup said.