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Europe spends more on diabetes in a year than on the war in Ukraine. The diabetes tsunami is a public health crisis that threatens healthcare systems and economic development.
Last year, Europe spent more on diabetes than all the money the European Union has donated to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country. Diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable, is growing at an alarming rate, driven by factors including obesity and aging populations. The annual cost of diabetes in Europe is a constraint on European economic growth.
In 2021, diabetes-related expenditures in Europe totaled approximately 170 billion euros, accounting for 19.6% of global diabetes expenditures. The average annual expenditure per diabetic patient in Europe is approximately 2,760 euros.
By contrast, Europe has pledged €150 billion in financial, military, humanitarian and refugee aid, including through the European Peace Fund until 2027.
Prevalence of diabetes in Europe
In 2021, Spain had the highest diabetes prevalence in Europe, with nearly 15% of adults diagnosed with the disease, followed by Portugal with a prevalence of around 13%.
Most European countries report diabetes prevalence rates of around 8-9%. In 2021, the Czech Republic had the highest diabetes-related mortality rate, at 43.4 deaths per 100,000 population, and the mortality rate was significantly higher for men than for women across Europe.
A spokesperson for the Irish Department of Health told Euractiv: “The diabetes tsunami in Europe is a pressing public health challenge that requires immediate and coordinated action.”
However, they added: “With the right policies and interventions, it is possible to mitigate the impact of diabetes and improve the quality of life for millions of Europeans.”
Burden on the economy
economy Diabetes burden The costs of the European healthcare system are huge, but universal healthcare systems prevent these costs from being passed on to patients. In 2021, Switzerland spent nearly €11,600 per diabetic patient, while the UK, France and Germany spent between €5,200 and €6,00 per diabetic patient per year.
Germany had the highest rate of hospital admissions for diabetes, with 172 admissions per 100,000 inhabitants, while Romania and the Czech Republic had more than 18 lower limb amputations per 100,000 diabetics.
Global surge, diet to blame
The global prevalence of diabetes is expected to surge, reaching 12.2% of the population by 2045. While type 1 diabetes remains unpreventable, 95% of diabetes cases are type 2, which is influenced by age, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
In 2021, more than 30% of the population in more than half of European countries showed lack of physical exercise, while soft drink consumption, one of the risk factors for obesity, averaged 98 liters per person in 2022.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the WHO European Region, and Europe has the highest burden of type 1 diabetes in the world.
It is estimated 1 in 10 people By 2045, 15 million people in the region will have diabetes. By 2030, the number of adults with diabetes in Europe is expected to increase from 32 million today to 35 million.
Economic impact
These costs include direct medical expenses such as hospitalizations, medications, and outpatient care, as well as indirect costs related to lost productivity and premature death.
In France alone, the total direct medical costs of type 2 diabetes are estimated to be €29 billion per year.
Diabetes currently affects 4 million French people, a figure that has increased sixfold in just 30 years. 90% of French diabetics have type 2 diabetes, and nearly 700,000 diabetics are unaware that they have it.
France ranks 26th out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI), and diabetes also strikes the most vulnerable, with rates much higher in the poorest cities.
The prevalence of diabetes in France is currently 5.4%, 1 in 2 French people is overweight, and 15% are obese. In France, diabetes costs 19 billion euros per year, accounting for 15% of medical expenditures.
Europe’s policy response
Recognizing the urgent need to address this crisis, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in November 2022 on diabetes prevention, management and better care in the EU.
The resolution calls on member states to develop and implement national diabetes plans, ensure equitable access to treatment, and promote diabetes education. It also stresses the need for strengthened EU leadership and collaboration with member states to achieve these goals.
this”Diabetes Action Blueprint ‘Achieving diabetes reduction targets in the EU by 2030’ outlines several key priorities and recommendations, including risk reduction, integrated care, provision of quality care services and engagement of people with diabetes.
Early diagnosis, effective treatment
The Irish Department of Health told Euractiv: “Recent EU policy initiatives and WHO advice provide a strong basis for responding to this crisis. However, sustained efforts and collaboration at all levels are essential to reverse the trend towards diabetes and secure a healthier future for Europe.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and effective management to prevent complications and is actively involved in addressing the diabetes crisis in Europe.
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and lower limb amputations.
The WHO Declaration on Accelerated Action Commitments to Improve Diabetes Detection and Quality of Care emphasizes that diabetes management requires a comprehensive, people-centred approach. This includes promoting diabetic retinopathy screening and improving access to essential medicines and technologies.
National Initiatives
At the initiative of the European Union and the World Health Organization, some European countries have implemented national diabetes plans to respond to the growing prevalence of diabetes. Among them, Slovenia has developed a comprehensive 10-year diabetes plan focusing on prevention, early detection and comprehensive care. Latvia It also aims to improve access to diabetes medicines in line with WHO recommendations.
Last November, a new four-year project called Joint Action on Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes (JACARDI) was launched in Rome. The initiative aims to involve ministries, public health agencies, non-governmental organizations and universities to help EU Member States reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and their related risk factors at the individual and societal level.
In Belgium, Sciensano will coordinate Belgium’s participation in JACARDI and initiate a four-year collaboration with the Diabetes Alliance, KU Leuven and the University of Antwerp to improve the use of qualitative data, advance screening processes and develop integrated care pathways.
In addition, the company will focus on leveraging digital tools to enhance self-management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This strategic partnership underscores Belgium’s commitment to pioneering innovative healthcare solutions and improving patient care.
France has also implemented a comprehensive National Diabetes Program These include public awareness campaigns, screening programs and opportunities to improve diabetes care.
National Diabetes Registry
The Irish Department of Health told Euractiv: “In recent years there has been a significant shift in the quality and delivery of diabetes care, with more patients (in Ireland) receiving early treatment in the community.”
A spokesperson added: “We have allocated funding to establish a national diabetes register. The national diabetes register will help track the prevalence of diabetes year on year, measure the health of patients and provide reliable data to plan future services.”
They confirmed that a review of diabetes policy and services is currently underway. The review is being led by the Diabetes Policy and Services Review Steering Group – which will produce a report within six months of work starting. The report will include key findings, recommendations and a range of actions to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.
Ireland has also launched a public health campaign’Building a healthier food environment‘ to “address the broader commercial determinants of health that impact our food environment.”
These include the sugary drinks tax introduced in 2018, which is currently undergoing an independent review, and support for food reformulation – reducing the calorie, fat, salt and sugar content of a range of foods – through the work of the Food Reformulation Taskforce, which is looking at how to regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods to children.
The EU will continue to invest heavily in diabetes as Europe works towards building a true health union. With millions of lives affected and billions of euros failing to halt the progression of diabetes, a bold vision is needed to curb this modern plague.
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