A Wide Range of Projects in the Fight against Diabetes
World Diabetes Day has been held every year on November 14 ever since 1991. The significance of the day was further enhanced this year: UN Resolution 61/225 gave it the title "United Nations Day." The UN's objective in doing this was to help raise public awareness of World Diabetes Day, especially among governments and the media.
The organization was responding to the fact that diabetes represents a growing challenge to healthcare systems and economies. According to estimates by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 245 million people are currently affected by the disease; by 2025, this figure could rise above 380 million. Seven million more sufferers are added to the statistics every year – that's almost 20,000 a day!
The UN said it would be "morally indefensible" not to take action. Instead, they are calling on governments all over the world to act – together. Therefore, the name of the IDF's campaign backing the implementation of resolution 61/225 is "Unite for Diabetes." It is being supported by Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care.
At present, diabetes is not curable. But at least people can take preventive action against the most common form of diabetes, type 2. The aim of UN campaign is therefore to exert influence on factors associated with the development of type 2 diabetes. These include eating habits, physical exercise and other aspects of life.
The European Union is also acting
Prevention is also the aim of an EU project called IMAGE. IMAGE stands for "Development and Implementation of a European Guideline and Training Standards for Diabetes Prevention" and is one of the biggest health initiatives the European Union has ever embarked on. The aim is to develop measures to prevent type 2 diabetes. An estimated 53 million people in the EU currently suffer from diabetes. This figure could rise to 64 million by 2025. Like the UN's "Unite for Diabetes" campaign, the EU's "IMAGE" project is being supported by Bayer HealthCare.
Supporting specialized staff
Diabetes consultants have an important role to play in the fight against diabetes. As a rule it is they who, along with physicians, have direct contact with patients and risk groups. And just like scientists update each other on the latest developments at conferences, diabetes consultants also meet regularly to exchange views and information. The 4th European Symposium of Diabetes Consultants was held in Leverkusen in early November. More than 260 consultants from all over Europe took part in this three-day event. It was organized by the Federation of European Nurses in Diabetes (FEND) and hosted by Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care Europe.
Program for India
India is the country with the most diabetes patients anywhere in the world. According to an estimate by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), over 40 million people there are currently affected. The World Health Organization (WHO) fears that the figure could rise to almost 80 million by 2030.
This prospect was reason enough for Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care to participate in an educational program designed specifically for India. Bayer launched the project entitled "HOPE" this fall together with the companies BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and Lilly (Eli Lilly and Company). BD and Lilly are among the world's leading suppliers of insulin products.
"HOPE specifically targets physicians and patients, but also journalists, because they can help raise people's awareness of the issue," says Sandra E. Peterson, Head of Diabetes Care at Bayer HealthCare. "By providing better information, we ultimately want to achieve a reduction in both the number of diabetes patients and diabetes-related deaths in India."
Bayer HealthCare's broad-based commitment
Bayer HealthCare has about 60 years of experience in the determination of urinary and blood glucose – and is today one of the world's leading suppliers of glucose meters. This expertise simultaneously implies a social responsibility. "It's not enough for us to market our products," stresses Sandra E. Peterson, Head of the Diabetes Care Division at Bayer HealthCare. "Our objective is a much broader one: to enable people with diabetes to improve their quality of life in all kinds of ways. This includes supporting educational campaigns that help people develop a more healthy lifestyle."
Bayer HealthCare runs a wide range of different projects with this aim in mind. They include training staff to specialize in diabetes and supporting governments and organizations in their diabetes-related campaigns. There are also programs specifically targeting the diabetes patients themselves. For example, Bayer HealthCare's "Bayer Dream Fund," which was launched in 2003, supports selected diabetes patients in the United States who would like to fulfill a certain dream – and who might be an example to other diabetics. "We care for your health" – this motto of Bayer HealthCare means more than supplying drugs and measuring devices.
Advice for patients
Every body reacts differently to medicines. Therefore it is impossible to tell which medicine works best for you. Please consult your physician.