Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(8): 511-514
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1081501
Perspective

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The European Perspective of Diabetes Prevention

P. E. H. Schwarz 1 , 2 , F. Muylle 2 , 3 , P. Valensi 2 , 4 , M. Hall 2 on behalf of the Diabetes Prevention Forum – IDF Europe [*]
  • 1Department of Prevention on Care of Type 2 Diabetes, Clinic of Internal Medicine III, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
  • 2Diabetes Prevention Forum, IDF Europe, Avenue Emile De Mot 19, Brussels, Belgium
  • 3Vlaamse Diabetes Vereniging, Ottergemsesteenweg 456, Gent, Belgium
  • 4Hôpital Jean Verdier, AP-HP, Paris Nord University, CRNH-IdF Avenue du 14 Juillet, Bondy Cedex, France
Further Information

Publication History

received 01.06.2008

accepted 09.06.2008

Publication Date:
11 July 2008 (online)

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.

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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

Dr. P. E. H. Schwarz

Division of Prevention and Care of Diabetes

Department of Medicine III

Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus

Technical University Dresden

01307 Dresden

Germany

Phone: +49/351/458 27 15

Fax: +49/351/458 73 19

Email: peter.schwarz@uniklinikum-dresden.de