Euro Consumer Diabetes Index 2008
The Euro Consumer Diabetes Index 2008, a benchmark of diabetes care for the 27 EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland, shows some interesting differences in European diabetes. Here we present the main observations of the study:
1- Worrying lack of quality data in issues related with diabetes.
2- The countries that do perform well are the ones which treat diabetes early in the healthcare chain.
3- Effective prevention programs reduce the number of diabetics as well as the number of complications.
4- The number of trained and qualified staff needs to be increased especially in Eastern European countries.
5- Some patients, especially in the Eastern European countries, do not have enough financial resources to follow recommended therapies.
6- There is an urgent need for increasing patient education regarding the handling of their disease; the general public needs awareness in order to reduce diabetes incidence and stop discrimination against diabetics.
Beatriz Cebolla Garrofé
Project Manager Euro Diabetes Index