Health challenges
The Unite for Diabetes campaign: overcoming constraints to find a global policy solution
Globalistion - an effective solution for diabetes and non-communicable diseases prevention and control?
Authors:
K. Siegel; K. M. Venjat Narayan
Publisher:
Globalization and Health, 2008
Despite the fact that diabetes and other non-communicable diseases represent a significant proportion of the global burden of diseases, there remain constraints to the implementation of effective policies to curb non-communicable disease epidemics. This article, published in the Globalisation and Health journal discusses these constraints including a lack of global advocacy, insufficient attention from funding agencies and governments, as well as orientation of health services to acute care. The paper reviews the progress that has been made with regards to each constraint, focusing on the International Diabetes Federation’s Unite for Diabetes campaign and United Nations resolution on diabetes.
The paper concludes by outlining what still needs to happen for globalisation to be an effective solution for diabetes and non-communicable diseases prevention and control. It highlights new actors and organisations that are working towards these goals and some countries that are beginning to shift health systems to be more prevention focused. The authors anticipate that these events will result in more global initiatives, sustained funding increases, media and policy attention, and to change attitudes and behaviours.
