 Supporting people living with diabetes in times of crisesThe devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela this month have claimed lives, destroyed homes and infrastructure and left countless communities facing an uncertain future. At IDF Europe, our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy, particularly the estimated 1.6 million people living with diabetes (PwD) in Venezuela, for whom the consequences of a humanitarian crisis extend far beyond the immediate disaster. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has responded rapidly, working closely with its member associations in Venezuela, the IDF South and Central The situation in Venezuela also reminds us of a much broader challenge. Around the world, armed conflicts, extreme weather events, natural disasters and displacement are placing unprecedented pressure on vulnerable populations, health systems and humanitarian organisations alike. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that by the end of May 2026, more For PwD, these disruptions can have profound consequences for both their immediate and long-term health. Damage to healthcare facilities, disrupted supply chains, power outages and displacement can interrupt access to insulin, diabetes medications, glucose monitoring supplies, healthcare professionals (HCPs), wound care and reliable, safe sources of food, while routine healthcare This is why preparedness matters. Humanitarian planning must extend beyond the Our thoughts remain with the people of Venezuela as rescue and recovery efforts continue. We also Marian Brennan  IDF EUROPE, NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTSIDF Europe Symposium at EASD 2026: “What is the future of diabetes education in the AI era?” On October 1, IDF Europe will hold a symposium at the 62nd EASD Annual Meeting, in Milan. The event will bring together people living with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), HCPs, educators and experts to explore how diabetes education can be redesigned for the digital age. Through diverse perspectives, speakers will examine both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI and technology into diabetes self-management, with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life through effective, equitable and person-centred education. Highlighting integrated care and innovation at During EMA’s multistakeholder workshop on supporting innovation in cardiovascular medicines and medical devices in the EU on July 1-2, João Valente Nabais, former IDF Europe President, gave a presentation highlighting the interconnectedness between diabetes, cardiovascular, renal and liver diseases and the need for holistic, person-centred prevention and management approaches to these conditions. João further highlighted key innovation gaps such as the need to He also reiterated the importance of ensuring equity in terms of access to care and research through the inclusion of underserved and vulnerable populations. During the two-day meetings, representatives from academia and industry joined HCPs, people with lived experience and other experts to explore the evolving landscape of evidence generation and the role of AI in the development of medicines and medical devices.  Advancing engagement of people with lived experience and HCPs at EMA joint working party meeting On June 30-July 1, Sabine Dupont attended EMA’s Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party (PCWP) and Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party (HCPWP) joint meeting. Over two days, the group discussed the One Health Task Force, antimicrobial resistance activities, the implementation of both the European Health Data Space and the revised pharmaceutical legislation and the Union list of critical medicines. During a dedicated breakout session, PCWP The meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of the PCWP, which having started as a working group of patients’ organisations in 2003, became a working party following endorsement of its framework by EMA’s Management Board. It was remarkable to see how much perceptions of people with lived experience have changed over that time from “activists” to equal expert partners!  IDF Europe participates in the 7th HTA Stakeholder Network Meeting On June 23, Sabine Dupont also attended the 7th meeting of the Health Technology Assessment Stakeholder Network. The Network provides a forum for dialogue between the Commission and the Member State Coordination Group on Health Technology Assessment on the one hand and stakeholders, on the other – patient associations, consumer organisations, health technology developer associations, health professional organisations and other non-governmental organisations in the field of health, including clinical and learned societies. This meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the first Joint Clinical Assessment released under the HTA regulation as well as stakeholders’ priorities and practicalities to gather evidence for the evaluation of the HTA Regulation and best ways to communicate with patients, carers and clinical experts before, during and after joint clinical assessments and joint scientific consultations.
Promoting integrated prevention and early detection On June 1-5, IDF Europe took part in the Liver Disease Prevention Village at the European Parliament in Brussels, organised by the European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA).  At IDF Europe’s booth, participants could assess their risk of developing T2D and learn about the importance of early detection and prevention. IDF Europe’s Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont, also contributed to a high-level roundtable on the early detection and management of MASLD, highlighting the need to integrate liver health into diabetes care pathways. The discussions reinforced the importance of a shared, cross-condition approach to prevention and care.
Remembering Bastian: a legacy of community and connection It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Bastian Hauck, a treasured member of the IDF Europe family whose legacy will continue to resonate across our organisation and the wider diabetes community. As the founder of dedoc and a passionate advocate for PwD, Bastian dedicated more than a decade to strengthening connections, fostering collaboration and creating spaces where people felt heard, valued and supported. He will be remembered not only for his many contributions, but also for the communities he helped build, the relationships he nurtured and the countless people he inspired along the way.  MEMBER NEWS
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HEALTH-RELATED NEWSUnited Nations | UN highlights right to health amid environmental crisis The UN Human Rights Office has stressed the importance of the right to health in the context of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The statement highlights how environmental degradation is increasingly affecting health worldwide and calls for stronger action to protect people and the planet through rights-based policies and more sustainable approaches to health and environmental governance. Read WHO Europe | New guidance on Heat–Health Action Plans WHO/Europe has launched an updated Heat–Health Action Plans Guidance to help countries prepare for, and respond to, extreme heat, a growing public health threat across the Region. The framework provides evidence-based recommendations across key areas such as early warning systems, risk communication and protection of vulnerable populations. The guidance highlights the urgent need for coordinated, cross-sector action as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe due to climate change. Read more European Parliament report strengthens focus on women and diabetes care The European Parliament has taken an important step towards advancing gender equality in health through its ongoing own-initiative report on gender inequalities in health. The report includes stronger recognition of diabetes, highlighting delays in diagnosis among women, the increased cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes and the need for sex- and gender-specific diagnostic criteria and clinical guidelines. It also calls for greater attention to gestational diabetes and sustained investment in gender-responsive prevention. IDF Europe actively engaged with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) throughout the process to help ensure that European Parliament report highlights strong link between CVD and diabetes The European Parliament’s own-initiative report on CVD, adopted by the SANT Committee on June 24, sets out a comprehensive EU-wide approach to prevention, early detection and management of CVD. The report highlights diabetes as a key modifiable risk factor driving the burden of CVD, alongside conditions such as obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. It also promotes integrated primary care screening for major risk factors, including diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. IDF Europe engaged with MEPs throughout the development of the report to ensure that the links between diabetes and cardiovascular health were adequately EMA publishes 2025 Annual Report The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting key achievements in the evaluation and monitoring of human and veterinary medicines across the EU. The report also highlights progress in rare disease treatments, milestones such as EMA’s 30th anniversary, and the launch of major initiatives including EMANS 2028 and the European Shortages Monitoring Platform. It also reflects growing use of AI and digital tools in regulatory processes. Read more First EU Joint Clinical Assessment IDF Europe welcomed the first Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) conducted under the EU Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Regulation. The statement highlights the importance of meaningful lived experience involvement in health technology assessments. Read more UK approves first treatment to delay the onset of T1D The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved teplizumab, the first treatment shown to delay the onset of T1D in people at risk of developing the condition. The decision marks a significant milestone for T1D prevention and care, with the potential to delay the need for insulin treatment and reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis. It also reinforces the importance of identifying people at risk early, highlighting the need to strengthen screening pathways across Europe. This aligns with IDF Europe’s advocacy and its international consensus paper, An International EU-FUNDED PROJECTSMOVEUP projectIDF Europe is a project partner of the Erasmus+ MOVEUP project, which aims to make physical activity more accessible to people living with T2D and other chronic health conditions (CHCs) through tailored sport that promotes fun, inclusive environments and supports better health.  New project The MOVEUP project has released its fourth newsletter, highlighting recent activities and achievements across the consortium. The edition features a training session held in Belgium, a transnational project meeting in Kosovo focused on project progress and impact assessment, and the MOVEUP Cup, which brought together participants from  Celebrating new graduates in Belgium Participants in the MOVEUP programme in Belgium recently celebrated completing a 12-week sports programme designed for people living with T2D, hypertension and other chronic conditions. The programme promotes physical activity through accessible and inclusive activities. A new 10-week MOVEUP Sports programme was launched in the Brussels area on July 2. Interested? The programme is still accepting late registrations  DigiCare4You updates IDF Europe is proud to be part of the DigiCare4You Horizon 2020 project, which aims to improve early prevention and management of T2D and hypertension (HTN). As part of its efforts to improve access to reliable health information, the DigiCare4You project continues to develop educational resources in multiple languages for communities across Europe. Recently, the project released a Greek-language video highlighting the role of nutrition in the prevention and management of T2D and hypertension. It has also made physical activity videos available in both Greek and Albanian, promoting regular movement as a key tool for managing blood glucose levels, reducing blood pressure and supporting overall health. ASSESS-DHT IDF Europe is part of ASSESS DHT, a Horizon 2020 project aiming to boost the adoption of trustworthy and effective Digital Health Technologies (DHT) across Europe. On June 16-17, IDF Europe participated in the ASSESS-DHT consortium meeting in Berlin, where partners came together to review the project’s progress and discuss the next steps in improving the evaluation of DHTs.  The ASSESS-DHT project is developing a common framework to support health technology assessment (HTA) bodies and other decision-makers in evaluating DHTs. By strengthening and harmonising assessment processes, the project aims to support informed decisions on the adoption and use of digital health solutions across Europe. As part of the project’s final outputs, IDF Europe is leading the development of guidance on lived experience engagement in HTA. The project is developing a European framework, toolkit and guidance to support The deadline to participate in the ASSESS-DHT public consultation has been extended until 10 July, giving stakeholders additional time to contribute to the development of a European framework for assessing DHTs. UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS EUROPE18th International Primary Care Diabetes Europe (PCDE) Conference European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 62nd Annual Meeting IDF Europe Symposium at EASD 2026 Follow us on social media! 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