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European Parliament Breakfast Symposium - World Diabetes Day 2022
Improving diabetes care for more resilient healthcare systems

15 November, 8.00 – 9.00 - European Parliament, Brussels (Room SPINELLI 3H1)
Event co-hosted by MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen and MEP Christel Schaldemose

Every year, World Diabetes Day is an important occasion to raise awareness of the escalating health threat posed by diabetes and nudge policy-makers to address the diabetes epidemic and improve citizens’ quality of life at the European, national, and local levels.

This year’s theme is Access to Diabetes Care: If Not Now, When? Achieving the best possible health outcomes and enjoying the highest possible quality of life for people living with diabetes is contingent upon their ability to access the medicines, supplies, technologies and care they require on an uninterrupted basis. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated the inherent inequalities in access to care across and within EU countries, and the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on health systems. Because of the complexity of diabetes, its interplay with other conditions, and with all levels of care, diabetes is a marker of the future resilience of national healthcare systems. The quality and effectiveness of diabetes prevention, management and care not only benefit people living with diabetes but represent a measure of how well a healthcare system is performing and benefits all NCDs.

During the Breakfast Symposium, various diabetes stakeholders discussed how we can address the striking disparities in access to care, themselves leading to significant inequalities in health outcomes for European citizens, and improve care and management across all NCDs to build up the resilience of health systems.

Learn more about the rationale for a new Diabetes Resolution:

Click here

Agenda

  • Opening remarks – MEP Christel Schaldemose

  • COVID-19 lessons: improving diabetes management, prevention and care to absorb health crises and build the future resilience of healthcare systems. – Joao Raposo, Assistant Professor of Public Health in the Medical Faculty of New University of Lisbon and Clinical Director of APDP – Diabetes Portugal

  • Improved resilience for reduced health disparities across the Union. – Jean Langford, person living with Type 1 diabetes

  • Panel discussion: What policy changes are required at EU level?
    • MEP Marisa Matias (the Left)
    • MEP Tilly Metz (Greens)
    • MEP Sirpa Pietikainen (EPP)
    • MEP Christel Schaldemose (S&D)

  • Closing remarks – MEP Sirpa Pietikainen