Brussels, 15/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - It was by show of hands that the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on Wednesday 14 March calling for a dedicated strategy to tackle the EU's growing diabetes problem. This strategy, MEPs say, should target diabetes prevention, diagnosis, management, education and research and should complement member states' efforts. It was noted, however, that many do not have national diabetes programmes. MEPs urge continued funding for diabetes research through EU research framework programmes. They call on the Commission to draw up standardised criteria and methods for data collection and say that there should be broader efforts to coordinate European research. Noting that type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease, MEPs say the EU and member states should use environmental, food and consumer policies to tackle known risk factors such as obesity. They also highlight the importance of early diagnosis, diabetes frequently being diagnosed too late.
Diabetes, one of the most widespread hereditary diseases, is on the rise. In the EU, there are an estimated 32 million diabetes sufferers, and the number of people living with diabetes in Europe is expected to increase by 16.6% by 2030, due to increased levels of obesity, the ageing of the European population and other factors. Deaths attributed to diabetes in the EU number 325,000 per year and, in most member states, diabetes accounts for over 10% of healthcare expenditure. (IL/transl.rt)