PR86538

BRUSSELS, Nov. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO  JBN/ --

--IDF marks World Diabetes Day and the International Year of the Nurse and

Midwife by offering free accredited diabetes training

This World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is calling

for more nurses to be trained to help people living with diabetes to understand

and manage their condition.

Over 460 million people are currently estimated to be living with diabetes

worldwide, a number expected to rise to 578 million by 2030

(https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/facts-figures/ ). Last year alone, the

condition was responsible for 4.2 million deaths and at least $760 billion in

health expenditure – 10% of the global total spent on healthcare. The impact of

diabetes has come into even sharper focus this year, with half of people

diagnosed with COVID-19 in some regions (https://tinyurl.com/y38gpjct ) found

to be living with the condition.

Nurses play a pivotal role in helping people with diabetes understand and

manage their condition and in tackling the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in

those most susceptible. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise across

the world, more trained nurses are required to help people affected avoid

life-changing complications - such as heart attacks, strokes, loss of vision,

kidney disease and lower limb amputation - and promote healthier lifestyle

behaviours. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of a global

shortfall of 5.9 million nurses and indicated that nursing graduates will need

to increase by 8% a year to overcome the deficit by 2030

(https://www.who.int/hrh/nursing_midwifery/en/ ).

IDF is urging national governments to respond and recruit enough nurses to help

care for the growing numbers living with diabetes and to prioritise the role

nurses play by investing in their professional development.

Commenting on the current shortfall, IDF President, Professor Andrew Boulton

said: "Nurses are at the heart of healthcare worldwide and have a crucial role

to play in the global fight against diabetes. Unfortunately, there are simply

not enough to go around. Investing in nurses now to save future cost is a

difficult message for those managing healthcare budgets. Too often, healthcare

decision makers kick the problem down the line to a time when they will no

longer be held accountable for the consequences. It's a save-now-pay-later

approach that is doomed to fail. Yet, the reality is that today's governments

are already paying for the failings of their predecessors. The tide of diabetes

is rising fast and action is needed. Governments must recruit and equip an

adequately trained workforce to support the growing numbers living with

diabetes. Nurses are integral to the delivery of effective diabetes treatment,

supporting ongoing diabetes management and preventing diabetes complications.

Nurses make the difference."

Judith Mendez RN BSN is a nurse from Belize, where close to 20% of the

population have diabetes. Judith, who has diabetes herself, said: "The role of

the nurse is extremely important in Belize, and countries similar in size and

economic development. The resources available for diabetes care are

insufficient to meet the pressing need for greater diabetes awareness,

prevention, education and support.

"More often than not people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are simply told to

take pills and watch what they eat. This is using a band aid to fix a crisis

and it's simply not going to work. Nurses are often called on to provide more

than just medical care. People trust nurses, often above and beyond other

health professionals. We provide a sympathetic ear - a safe haven where people

living with diabetes can find the support they need. The increase in the number

of people with diabetes is pushing many healthcare systems to breaking point.

Governments must invest in nurses now to help improve health education in the

population and ease the pressure."

To mark World Diabetes Day 2020, IDF is encouraging nurses and other health

professionals to improve their understanding of diabetes care by offering free

access to its IDF School of Diabetes (https://www.idfdiabeteschool.org/ )

online course on the role of the diabetes educator. Certified by the European

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), the IDF School

of Diabetes is a digital platform that delivers high-standard, evidence-based

diabetes education for healthcare professionals. Upon completion, learners will

earn one EACCME credit and a certificate of completion.

World Diabetes Day 2020 is supported by AstraZeneca, Lilly Diabetes, Merck,

Pfizer-MSD Alliance, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi.

Note to Editors

Supporting diabetes facts and figures:

    -- 463 million adults (1-in-11) were living with diabetes in 2019

    -- The number of people living with diabetes is expected to rise to 578

       million by 2030

    -- 1-in-2 adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed (232 million). The

       majority have type 2 diabetes

    -- More than three quarters of people with diabetes live in low and

       middle-income countries

    -- Two thirds of people with diabetes live in urban areas and three-

    -- quarters are of working age

    -- A fifth of people with diabetes (136 million) are above 65 years old

    -- Depending on global region, up to 50% of COVID-19 diagnoses were in

       people living with diabetes

    -- Diabetes caused 4.2 million deaths in 2019

    -- Diabetes was responsible for at least $760 billion in health

       expenditure in 2019 - 10% of the global total spent on healthcare

About the International Diabetes Federation

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over

240 national diabetes associations in more than 160 countries and territories.

It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and

those at risk. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community

since 1950. www.idf.org

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1333291/International_Diabetes_Federation_English.pdf

SOURCE  International Diabetes Federation

CONTACT: Aaron Frank, +44 (0)118 909 0909, wdd@berkeleypr.com