It shouldn’t be news to anyone that November 14 is World Diabetes Day. Since 1991, the date set by the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation has been an opportunity to spread awareness and educate people about the care and prevention of this disease.
This year, the European Connected Health Alliance and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) are presenting a project that is raising expectations: “The Diabetes Aware Cities Challenge.”
It was announced at the Health&Wellness ECHAlliance conference at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the official launch of the challenge will take place on November 14.
The role of mHealth
The objective of the “Diabetes Aware Cities Challenge” is to create a worldwide network of cities aware of the disease. To achieve this, mHealth tools will be used to promote correct decisions on prevention and also to incentivize care of patients with diabetes.
Speaking to E-Health Reporter Latin America, CEO of the International Diabetes Federation, Dr. Petra Wilson, said: “The challenge will be to demonstrate that mobile health is a tool that benefits consumers, patients and healthcare professionals. We hope that people with diabetes feel capable of taking decisions about how to control and manage their diabetes.”
Wilson also noted that the use of mobile technology as an mHealth tool and the rapid increase of patients with diabetes across the world were factors that inspired the project.
Next month, a group of advisors selected by the IDF will prepare a list of basic criteria that should be followed for a city to be considered a “diabetes aware city.” Webber revealed that the team will be made up of businesspeople from the sector, representatives of different NGOs and professionals specialized in mHealth.
My city against diabetes
The European Alliance of Connected Health and the International Diabetes Federation promote the challenge of creating healthier cities and making mHealth tools available across the world. Increasing the awareness of a city depends upon the political and institutional will of local governments.
To obtain more information, please contact the International Diabetes Federation: [email protected]
