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IDF Europe News Update May 2015
Your monthly update on policy and advocacy across Europe
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In the Spotlight
MEPs and key stakeholders in the field of healthcare meet to discuss the state of play of diabetes in Europe
 The EU Diabetes Working Group (EUDWG), a group of cross-party MEPs with particular interest in diabetes, met in the European Parliament on 5 May to discuss the state of the diabetes epidemic in Europe. Arunas Vinciunas, head of cabinet for Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, was amongst the keynote speakers present at the event and reiterated that preventing and combating diabetes is a priority of the Commission.
Led by MEPs Therese Comodini Cachia, Christel Schaldemos and Marisa Matias, the EU Diabetes Working Group called for the EU to press for specific targets for reducing the number of people suffering from diabetes and other chronic diseases, and also to make diabetes recognised as an EU public health priority, amongst other through securing more funding for research. Read Euractiv’s coverage of the meeting to find out more.
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Europe-wide
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68th World Health Assembly: IDF launches Framework for Action on Sugar, announces World Diabetes Day campaign
 The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) made sure diabetes was high on the agenda at the 68th World Health Assembly by hosting a high-level event focusing on halting the diabetes epidemic through healthy eating. During the event, IDF launched its Framework for Action on Sugar in response to exploding sugar intake, increasing rates of obesity and the rising tide of diabetes.
The framework calls on governments to implement policies to reduce sugar consumption and advocates specific measures to increase access to healthy alternatives to help prevent type 2 diabetes, including a proposed ban on advertisement of sugar sweetened beverages to children.
On the same day, IDF also kicked off its 2015 World Diabetes Day campaign, Healthy eating and diabetes. Click here to go to the campaign website.
Chronic diseases management in European Health Systems
The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies has published a review on how health systems across Europe manage chronic diseases. Looking at 12 European countries, the report details and compares the different approaches used to improve self-management support, service delivery as well as financing, availability and access to chronic diseases care. Read more.
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Patients’ rights on focus
The Active Citizenship Network led the 9th European Patients’ Rights Day celebrations in Brussels with a high-level conference in the European Parliament on 12 May. The debate this year revolved around the sustainability of healthcare systems, with a particular focus on chronic diseases. Speakers at the meeting discussed the importance of prevention and innovation in achieving sustainable healthcare that is accessible to all. Find out more about the event.
Showing its support for the European initiative, DG Santé also published a 10-point factsheet on patients’ rights in the EU.
European Patients Forum launches Patient Empowerment campaign
 EPF officially launched a major one-year campaign on Patient Empowerment on 20 and 21 May. In the words of EPF President Anders Olauson, “too many patients are still struggling to get the support they need to become equal partners in care. To make real progress, we need to make patient empowerment a priority, starting with the development of an EU-wide strategy and action plan”. Find out what is behind the campaign’s tagline - “Patients prescribe E5 for sustainable health systems” – and how you can get involved here. |
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Not to be missed
- Two weeks left to apply to the 2015 IDF Europe Diabetes Prizes. This year again, we will be awarding prizes in two categories: young researcher and long-standing achievement. Find out more.
- IDF Europe is hiring a Communications Officer. Deadline for applications is 9 June. Read more.
Upcoming Events
- Healthy diet, healthy environment within a fruitful economy: the role of Fruits & Vegetables, Milan, 3-5 June 2015. Read more.
- TTIP – Increased Trade for Better Living?, Brussels, 15-16 June 2015. Read more.
- Universal health: Investing in Health and Wellbeing for All, Riga, 29-30 June 2015. Read more.
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For more information or to subscribe to the IDF Europe News Update, contact Gael Bassetto at Gael.Bassetto@idf-europe.org
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