Diabetes on the agenda in Mexico
Posted: 9 April 2013 | | No comments yet
The first-ever Diabetes Forum takes place in Mexico City (9th April), to address the critical diabetes challenge the country is facing…
Today, the first-ever Diabetes Forum takes place in Mexico City to address the critical diabetes challenge the country is facing.
The Forum gathers key Mexican opinion leaders within the health community and diabetes specialists who will discuss sustainable solutions for the 16.4 million Mexicans expected to have diabetes by 2030, including the head of Government of Mexico City, the Federal Health Minister and a large number of State Health Secretaries.
“Great progress has already been made in terms of dealing with diabetes in Mexico. However, the situation is still alarming and action is needed when it comes to diabetes prevention, diagnosis and treatment. We are delighted to be part of today’s discussions and offer our perspectives on future solutions,” says Novo Nordisk’s CEO, Lars Rebien Sørensen.
It is estimated that 10.6 million Mexicans have diabetes today, which corresponds to 15.5% of the adult population. In fact, Mexico ranks 6th on the list of countries with the largest diabetes population. In addition, 73% of Mexicans are overweight or obese, which poses a serious risk in the future development of diabetes rates.
The spread in diabetes is one of the downsides to the stable and strong economic growth the country has experienced in recent years. The growing middle class, increasing urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles and genetic predisposition are among the key factors to the severe rise in diabetes numbers.
Today’s meeting is hosted by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Mexico City and the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Salvador Zubirán, in partnership with the Latin American Diabetes Association, the Mexican Diabetes Federation, the FIND (Diabetes Investigation Fund) and the Danish Embassy to Mexico. Novo Nordisk serves as facilitator.
Novo Nordisk established an office in Mexico City in 2004. In 2006, the company launched a number of ‘train-the-trainer’ programmes for healthcare practitioners, nurses and patients to promote better treatment outcomes for the growing diabetes population in Mexico.
