‘The pandemic of Diabetes Mellitus presents a major public health challenge for all European national health care systems. It is estimated that 30 million European citizens have diabetes today within the European Union, with a prevalence of 7.5% in member states. In addition a further 50% of EU citizens are estimated to have this incurable condition but are currently unaware. This indicates a pernicious low level of awareness and demonstrates a serious and unacceptable deficiency in diagnosis of high risk groups and a paucity of national prevention public health policies within the EU.

Diabetes continues to be a leading cause of premature death, a 3-4 times higher risk of cardio-vascular disease, a 20 fold higher risk of lower limb amputation, the commonest cause of renal failure and blindness. In recent years the emergence of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents is a new and serious health challenge to the youth of Europe, their families and society. It is further estimated that pre-diabetes affects 100 million people of whom 50% will develop diabetes within the next 5 years.

The Federation of European Nurses in Diabetes is of the firm conviction that DG SANCO and the Commissioner have a unique responsibility to the citizens of Europe to establish in partnership with national ministries of health within member states and the relevant pan European NGOs, an EU Framework for the prevention and management of diabetes.

Such is the magnitude of the problem that micro plans are deemed inadequate to meet the challenge of the European diabetes epidemic and require a comprehensive European strategy in order to reduce the cost burden in terms of human suffering and economic loss.

The imperative to establish EU leadership, true connectiveness and relevance with its citizens is an opportunity that must be grasped urgently with generosity and sensitivity in partnership with key stakeholders.

We the undersigned urge the political leaders of the EU, members of the European parliament, national members of Parliament and Ministries of Health to respond positively and in a timely fashion to this urgent request.’