In Germany policymakers are currently working intensively on a national diabetes plan. The dialogue with experts from Denmark served the mutual exchange of experiences. Henrik Nedergaard, chairman of the board of the Danish Diabetes Association (DDA) presented the Danish National Diabetes Plan, which has existed since 2003. Awareness about diabetes has increased in the Danish population since the Plan came into effect, and the healthcare of people with diabetes has improved.
In the panel discussion, the importance of two measures was underscored: informing the public and systematic screenings for successful diabetes prevention and early detection. New therapeutic concepts are designed to provide better treatment and in the future also a cure.
To achieve these goals, in Germany a number of future-oriented initiatives have been taken in the field of diabetes research. In 2009 the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) founded the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). This national network brings together experts and interlinks them in translational research.
Professor Anette-G. Ziegler, director of the Institute of Diabetes Research at Helmholtz Zentrum München and head of the research area Type 1 Diabetes in the DZD, presented several outstanding projects with a special focus on Bavaria:
• In the Bavarian diabetes register DiMelli, newly diagnosed diabetes patients up to the age 20 are registered in order to investigate possible causes of the disease.
• Since January 2015 an early detection screening program for type 1 diabetes has been established: Within the framework of the Fr1da study, two-to-five-year-old children throughout Bavaria will be examined. Currently, 1,000 children per week are participating.
• Three large-scale, Germany-wide multicenter trials for diabetes prevention, diabetes complications and gestational diabetes have already been launched successfully by the DZD.
• The DZD informs the public at events concerning prevention, treatment and research on diabetes. In 2014 the DZD also participated in the year’s key campaign of the Bavarian Ministry of Health to raise awareness about diabetes.
• The Diabetes Information Service Munich provides industry-independent information for the public.
Through the introduction of a well-designed national diabetes plan, the increasing number of new cases of diabetes in Germany could be counteracted. According to the panel participants, policymakers in government are under obligation to take action.
Here you will find a short video about the visit of the Crown Prince Couple.