Tianjin and Shanghai Join Cities Changing Diabetes on World Diabetes Day

PR58650

BAGSVAERD, Denmark, Nov. 14 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Today, on World Diabetes Day, the Chinese cities of Tianjin and Shanghai

join the Cities Changing Diabetes initiative and the global fight against the

urban diabetes epidemic. These two major metropolitan centres are the first

Chinese cites to become part of the global partnership programme, which was

initiated in Mexico City in March 2014, followed by Copenhagen in Europe and

Houston in the United States last week.

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    New numbers released today estimate 387 million people worldwide have

diabetes today and more than two thirds hereof live in urban areas[1].

Globally, those who live in cities are two to five times more likely to have

type 2 diabetes[2]. Cities Changing Diabetes is a first-of-its-kind

collaboration to gather public and private partners to identify practical

long-term solutions. The programme seeks to understand the root causes behind

the rise in type 2 diabetes in cities and use that knowledge to share and

recommend effective interventions.

    Diabetes in Tianjin and Shanghai

    With 96 million people with diabetes, China has one of the highest rates of

diabetes in the world[3]. More than half of the people with diabetes live in

cities, and Shanghai and Tianjin rank among the largest urban areas in China.

Tianjin's population has doubled since 1995 to around 11 million people[4] and

an estimated 9.5% now suffering from diabetes[5]. In Shanghai, with a

population of 23.8[6] million people, it is estimated that 12.6% have

diabetes[7].

    The People's Municipal Government of Shanghai and the Shanghai Municipal

Commission of Health and Family Planning are committed to tackle the growing

urban diabetes challenge. As a consequence, the city is taking active measures

to increase the focus on prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and other

chronic diseases. Shanghai therefore welcomes relevant input based on academic

research and innovative partnerships.

    In Tianjin, the government is very committed to promoting a healthy

lifestyle and a balanced diet, which are key factors in tackling type 2

diabetes. The Cities Changing Diabetes initiative fits well into the National

Health and Planning Commission's agenda and will support other initiatives to

halt the progress of type 2 diabetes.

    The Tianjin Medical Association and the Shanghai Diabetes Institute will

lead the initial research for Cities Changing Diabetes in collaboration with

the global academic institution, University College London (UCL) from the UK.

    "The Cities Changing Diabetes partnership will provide a solid foundation

for identifying future initiatives of high impact to tackle urban diabetes in

Shanghai" said Professor Jia Weiping of the Shanghai Diabetes institute.

    "I am confident the city of Tianjin will benefit significantly in the fight

against type 2 diabetes by participating in Cities Changing Diabetes" said Mr.

Xiong Zhi, Secretary General of the Tianjin Medical Association.

    Lars Rebien Sorensen, chief executive officer of Novo Nordisk, welcomed the

global leadership the two significant cities are showing in the fight against

urban diabetes: "It is my hope that by working in partnership through Cities

Changing Diabetes, we can complement and support the cities' objective to

reduce the growing type 2 diabetes burden and tackle this urgent problem."

    About Cities Changing Diabetes

    Cities Changing Diabetes is an ambitious partnership programme to fight the

urban diabetes challenge. According to new numbers released today by the

International Diabetes Federation, IDF, it is estimated that 592 million will

have diabetes by 2035. Today, nearly two-thirds of all people with diabetes

live in cities, and people who move to cities have a significantly higher risk

of developing type 2 diabetes than those who remain in rural settings.

    The aim of Cities Changing Diabetes is to map the problem in selected urban

areas, to share learning and solutions and to drive action to fight the

diabetes challenge in cities across the world. University College London (UCL)

is the global academic partner for the programme that also includes Steno

Diabetes Center, a world-leading institution in diabetes care and prevention in

Denmark, and Novo Nordisk.

    For more information, visit Cities Changing Diabetes

[http://citieschangingdiabetes.com ] - see also Facebook

[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cities-Changing-Diabetes/1444833422418954?fref=t

s ] and Twitter [http://twitter.com/citiesdiabetes ]

    About World Diabetes Day

    Every 14 November, Novo Nordisk partners with the International Diabetes

Federation (IDF) in support of the United Nations Resolution on Diabetes. On

this day, employees, partners, people with diabetes and the general public

unite with a call to change diabetes.

    The date, 14 November, was chosen because it is the birthday of Frederick

Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the

discovery of insulin in 1921. Since the adoption of the United Nations

Resolution on diabetes in December 2006, World Diabetes Day has become an

official United Nations World Health Day.

    Read more about the campaign driven by the International Diabetes

Federation [http://www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday ]

    For more information on World Diabetes Day 2014 and to join the fight

against urban diabetes, visit http://bit.ly/urbanwdd or follow @NovoNordisk and

use #UrbanDiabetes and/or #WDD2014 online.

    About Novo Nordisk

    Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with

more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company

also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and

hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk employs approximately 41,000

employees in 75 countries, and markets its products in more than 180 countries.

For more information, visit http://novonordisk.com .

    Visit novonordisk.com for photos

[http://www.novonordisk.com/press/photo_library/photo_library.asp ] and b-roll

[http://www.novonordisk.com/press/broadcastroom/default.asp ] supporting this

press release.

    1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 6th edn.

Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2014 update.

    2. Mbanya JC et al. Diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. Lancet 2010;

375(9733):2254-2266

    3. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 7th edn.

Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2014.

    4. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World

Urbanization Prospects, the 2014 Revision

    5. Xu W. et al. Detection of Prediabetes and Undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes: A

Large Population-Based Study, Can J of Diabetes 2012 (36):108-113

    6. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World

Urbanization Prospects, the 2014 Revision.

    7. Li, R, Increasing Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in Chinese Adults in

Shanghai, Diabetes Care 35:1028-1030, 2012

    Further information

    Media:

    Katrine Sperling

    +45-3079-6718

    krsp@novonordisk.com

http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7377451-novo-nordisk-shanghai-diabetes

    SOURCE: Novo Nordisk