Contributed by Bernard GOUGET, SFBC-FESCC representative, FESCC advisory board member

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has published new data indicating the enormity of the diabetes epidemic. Data published  in the Federation�s Diabetes Atlas, third edition, show that the disease now affects a staggering 246 million people worldwide, with 46% of all those affected in the 40-59 age group. The global number of people living with diabetes will exceed 380 million by 2025, according to newly released data from the IDF. The majority, more than 300 million, will live in the developing world. Despite the fact that low and middle-income countries will bear the brunt of the forecast explosion, they account for less than 15% of global diabetes spending.

The IDF warned that diabetes threatens to subvert the gains of global economic advancement if nothing is done to address this imbalance. Interestingly, the IDF�s 19th World Diabetes Congress took place on December 3-7 2006 in Cape Town (http://conference.idf.org/4DCGI/webpage/monday.shtml ). More than 300 presentations from the congress are available for view in the World Diabetes Congress Library (http://www.idf.org/). The Diabetes Declaration and Strategy for Africa was launched during the congress by the IDF Africa Region. The purpose of the Diabetes Declaration for Africa is to raise community and political awareness about diabetes and to improve diabetes care by working through a coalition of individuals, community, corporations and governments. Moreover, The General Assembly of the United Nations has passed a landmark Resolution recognizing the global threat of the diabetes epidemic. This marks the achievement of the main objective of the IDF-led Unite for Diabetes campaign, which has brought together the largest ever diabetes coalition, including patient organizations from over 150 countries, the majority of the world�s scientific and professional diabetes societies, many charitable foundations, service organizations and industry. Help celebrate and support the Resolution! www.unitefordiabetes.org.