Brussels, 14/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission plans to get down in earnest to tackling the problem of diabetes, a chronic disease that is on the rise in the European Union and in the world as a whole. In a speech before the European Parliament on 12 November and in the context of the World Diabetes Day of 14 November, the commissioner responsible for health and consumer policy, Tonio Borg, said the Commission was working on a pilot project to develop and set in place prevention strategies for eradicating type II diabetes, which is most widespread but also the easiest to avoid. “The increasing burden of diabetes calls for a serious and sustained debate on how we can adapt our health policies, improve our health and social systems and increase public awareness of the challenge ahead”, the commissioner said. Parliament also calls for a European strategy to be set in place to combat diabetes, via a resolution adopted more than one year ago now, in March 2012 (see EUROPE 10575).
Early 2014, the Commission will launch joint action with member states for the prevention of chronic diseases, diabetes in particular. The Commission will support national measures implemented to combat diabetes by promoting the exchange of best practice and via guidelines that will be published for the attention of member states, which will be able to tweak them to suit the national situation. Furthermore, Commissioner Borg pointed out that the Commission is taking part in the funding of several research projects on diabetes and obesity, as obesity is the main contributory factor to the condition. In total, the Commission has invested €270 million over the past six years in research on obesity and diabetes, under the 7th framework programme for research and technological development. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 27% of diabetes cases are due to physical inactivity and 44% are due to overweight and obesity at a time when, as the commissioner points out, over half the adult population is either overweight or obese. The situation of children also gives rise to concern, as one third of children aged 6 to 9 years are currently overweight or obese compared to one quarter five years ago, Borg said.
On World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) published the latest edition of its “Diabetes Atlas” which shows how the disease is gaining ground. According to the study, by 2035, 592 million people will suffer from diabetes compared to 382 million at present. The greatest prevalence of diabetes is among those in the disadvantaged classes of society or those aged over 60, in developing countries. By the end of 2013, 5.1 million people will have died from diabetes-related complications. “On World Diabetes Day, we must continue to increase awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity. Crucially, environments must be created that lay the foundations for healthy living”, said Michael Hirst, IDF President. (IL/transl.jl)