Health-EU

Diabetes: the need for a cross-sectoral EU policy response

By João Manuel Valente Nabais, President of IDF Europe

There is no questioning that diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the European Union and beyond. In 2012, close to 32 million people were living with diabetes in the EU. Member States spend on average a staggering 10% of their healthcare expenditures on treating diabetes and related complications. In some countries, this number is as high as 20%.

 

Over the last decade, increasing obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles and an ageing population have been the main drivers of the diabetes epidemic. The economic and financial crisis has also repeatedly challenged access to diabetes care, as a [...]

In this edition

Read the full focus of this edition  »

Also in this focus

Health Programme Projects »

EUropean Best Information through Regional Outcomes in Diabetes (EUBIROD)

EU Health Prize for Journalists – Articles »

Medical alert dogs for diabetic and autistic persons,by Melisa Tuya Sánchez national winner, Spain

News from the EU 

International Diabetes Day (14 November 2013)  »

For this occasion, IDF Europe have published a survey on access to diabetes care in Europe  and to build up on last year’s campaign, there will be a week long campaign (11-15 November 2013) in the European Parliament in Brussels with various activities around food and physical activity.

Public consultation on the preliminary opinion on 'Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) Silicone Breast Implants (2013 update)'  »

The European Commission and its Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) have launched a consultation on the preliminary opinion: Preliminary Opinion on the safety of Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) Silicone Breast Implants (2013 update).

New video available online to explain cross-border care  »

Do you know you can choose to get your healthcare in another country?

Expert Panel on Effective Ways of Investing in Health: Election of Chair and Vice-Chair  »

The Expert Panel is a multidisciplinary and independent group of experts set up by the Commission (Commission Decision 2012/C 198/06) to provide sound and timely scientific advice so as to pursue modern, responsive, and sustainable health systems.

Reporting from across Europe 

New Public Health (Alcohol) Bill  [Ireland]  »

Extensive package of measures, which will help address impact of alcohol misuse on children, young people and families.   

EU Press Releases 

Statement by European Commissioner for Health, Tonio Borg, on the entry into force of the Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross-border Healthcare  »

'For patients, this Directive means empowerment: greater choice of healthcare, more information, easier recognition of prescriptions across-borders.'

Forthcoming events 

Lithuanian Health Forum 2013 - sustainable health systems for inclusive growth in Europe (Vilnus, 19-20 November 2013)  »

Organised by the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and held under the auspices of the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the purpose of the Forum is to identify existing evidence on fostering the development of sustainable health systems throughout the entire Europe.

New publications 

'A good life in old age? Monitoring and improving quality in long-term care', published by The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)  »

This book offers evidence and examples of useful experiences to help policy makers, providers and experts measure and improve the quality of long-term care services.