IDF Europe Newsletter – April 2026

FROM SILOES TO COLLABORATION
Advancing liver health through integrated action

As we mark World Liver Day, the European Liver Patients’ Association (ELPA) calls for urgent, coordinated action to address the growing and often overlooked link between liver disease, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and diabetes share common risk factors and frequently coexist, significantly increasing the
risk of life-threatening complications. Yet across Europe, healthcare systems continue to treat these conditions separately. Too often, people are left to navigate complex systems on their own, moving from one specialist to another for each condition, without coordinated care. This fragmented approach delays diagnosis, limits access to appropriate care and fails to reflect the lived reality of people managing multiple, interconnected conditions.

This must change. We need a decisive shift towards prevention, early detection and integrated, person-centred care to prevent disease progression, reduce complications and improve quality of life.

At EU level, momentum is building through initiatives such as the European cardiovascular health plan, “The Safe Hearts Plan” and the “Healthier Together” NCD framework. These initiatives rightly prioritise prevention, early detection and integrated risk assessment for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes. However, they remain incomplete without the full integration of liver health. MASLD is not only highly prevalent but also a major, independent risk factor for CVD.

ELPA therefore calls on the European Institutions and Member States to explicitly include liver health in EU CVD and NCD strategies, and to implement integrated screening
pathways that combine cardiovascular-renal-hepatic-metabolic risk assessments in primary care and in community settings. Simple, non-invasive tools already exist and can identify at-risk populations earlier and more effectively. Health systems must move beyond siloed, disease-specific models and adopt multidisciplinary approaches that address shared risk factors and comorbidities. Ignoring this opportunity means missing a critical window for prevention.

People with lived experience and patient organisations must be at the heart of this transformation. Their meaningful involvement is fundamental to building health systems that truly respond to people’s needs.

Stronger collaboration across the NCD community is also critical. ELPA is proud to be working alongside IDF Europe to advance a more integrated approach to prevention and care. This collaboration is reflected in joint efforts such as the “Bridge the Gap” initiative, which brings together the liver, diabetes, obesity, CVD and kidney communities to align advocacy and promote more coordinated approaches to these interconnected conditions. Our collaboration also includes participation in cross-community events and joint contributions to EU-level policy and advocacy efforts. This work will continue at the ELPA Liver Disease Prevention Village, taking place in front of the European Parliament in the first week of
June. Together, we will join forces to raise awareness, promote screening and prevention, and call on policymakers to take concrete action.

Now is the time to break down siloes, to act together and to make a coordinated, person-centred approach to liver disease, diabetes and other NCDs a reality across Europe.

IDF EUROPE, NEWS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Save the date: IDF Europe Symposium at EASD

IDF Europe Response to the Revision of the Medical Devices and in Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation

As the EU moves to revise its medical devices framework (Devices Regulation (MDR) (EU) 2017/745 and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR) (EU) 2017/746), improving efficiency and supporting innovation remain central goals.

Person-centred diabetes care: join the San Marino Diabetes Congress

The programme will cover key topics including the delivery of high-quality, integrated and person-centred care, the role of health systems, institutions, HCPs and patient associations, the social impact of diabetes and the importance of sport, access to innovation, equity and personalised approaches to care.

Registration is free and open until May 20.

Welcome to the team!

We are delighted to announce three new members to the IDF Europe team: Chantal Michael, Arthur Oury and Elena Thompson.

MEMBER NEWS

Polish Diabetes Association hosts Leaders’ Forum and T2D advocacy workshop

On April 23-24, the 7^th Leaders’ Forum of the Polish Diabetes Association brought together leaders and representatives of people living with diabetes (PwD), marking its 45th anniversary and 35 years as a member of the International Diabetes Federation.

Alongside the Forum, a T2D advocacy workshop led by Oliwia Kaczmarek and
supported by IDF Europe, equipped participants with skills in storytelling, tackling stigma and engaging with decision-makers. With IDF Europe’s Communication & Engagement Manager, Marian Brennan contributing as facilitator and supported by T2GETHER mentors, Christian Petersen, Janne Mikkonen, Oliwia Kacsmarek and Sehnaz Karadeniz, the programme empowered participants living with T2D to translate lived experience into impactful advocacy at national and European levels.

During the event, we were honoured to receive the PRODIABETES Award in recognition of outstanding commitment and contribution to the diabetes community. We sincerely thank the Association for this
meaningful recognition, which means a great deal to our entire team and reflects our ongoing efforts across Europe. We are equally proud that Prof. Leszek Czupryniak, IDF Europe Board Member, was also recognised with an award for his contribution to raising awareness of diabetes and his active participation in public health debates, helping to drive systemic changes that improve the lives of PwD.

YOUTH PLATFORM

IDF Europe at Thriveabetes 2026

On April 18, IDF Europe Board Member, Jaivir Pall and Youth Coordinator, Joana Amorim, joined Thriveabetes 2026 in Dublin, a conference organised by, and for, people living with T1D. Thriveabetes aims to inform, motivate and inspire the diabetes community by creating a space where no person living with T1D feels alone. The event featured several sessions led by diabetes experts, a Diabetes Technology Exhibition and a Diabetes Research Poster Display.

UNDERSTANDING DIABETES

Diabetes as a marker of healthcare system resilience

Diabetes is a chronic condition that cuts across all aspects of healthcare systems – from prevention and screening to early intervention, long-term management and complication prevention – requiring coordinated care, access to medicines and technologies, and multidisciplinary teams across all levels of care. It is closely linked to other chronic condtions such as obesity, cardiovascular, liver, kidney and brain diseases, with complications accounting for up to 75% of its costs.  Addressing diabetes and its related conditions earlier and more effectively can significantly reduce this burden while strengthening workforce participation and productivity. This requires moving beyond
fragmented approaches toward integrated, person-centred care.

Despite the alarming rise in NCDs, Europe continues to treat the symptoms of a crisis while ignoring its underlying drivers. By the time an EU citizen is diagnosed with a cardiovascular complication, a decade of opportunity for prevention and intervention has already been lost. The EU Safe Hearts Plan is our chance to stop the domino effect through which obesity and diabetes lead to CVD –turning a fragmented system into pillar of resilience for EU’s economy, health systems and its people. For too long, we have addressed interconnected health challenges through siloed approaches. there is a clear opportunity to align screening,
prevention and management of interconnected conditions – supporting more resilient health systems while reinforcing Europe’s long-term competitiveness.

Read more in our article in The Parliament magazine and in the recent EFPIA guest blog co-authored by our Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont and Christina Holton Moloney,  Co-Chair, EFPIA Obesity Platform:

The Parliament magazine:
“Tackling diabetes is key to creating a healthier, more competitive Europe“

EFPIA guest blog:
“The €240 billion leak: Why Europe’s health resilience starts with integrated obesity, diabetes and CVD health checks“

WHAT WE ARE READING

WHO Europe | Norway’s new legislation shields children from marketing of unhealthy foods

Norway has introduced new legislation banning the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children, aiming to tackle rising rates of NCDs. The measure, aligned with WHO recommendations, restricts both traditional and digital advertising and reflects growing international momentum to create healthier environments for children. Norway’s approach is seen as a strong example for other countries in the WHO European Region to follow. Read more

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology | Sleep your way to better metabolic health

A new editorial in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology highlights the often-overlooked link between sleep and metabolic health. It underscores how poor sleep can increase the risk chronic conditions such as T2D, CVD and obesity, particularly in children, through complex, bidirectional mechanisms. The editorial also points to growing evidence that improving sleep could offer a practical and scalable approach to supporting metabolic health. Read more

WHO Europe | New WHO database helps countries turn health data into better policy

WHO has launched the Health Information Systems Governance (HISGOV) database to help countries across the European Region turn health data into better policy. Co-funded by the EU, it compiles nearly 70 indicators on data governance, digital health systems and interoperability. The platform enables comparison across countries, highlights gaps and supports evidence-based decisions to strengthen health systems and improve outcomes. Read more

OECD | Scaling artificial intelligence in health

A new OECD report highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare if deployed responsibly. It outlines key barriers such as fragmented data, regulatory uncertainty and workforce gaps. To guide countries, it introduces a policy checklist covering enablers, safeguards, public engagement and trustworthy AI deployment, aiming to support coherent strategies, shared learning and balanced innovation across health systems. Read more

WHO Europe | A snapshot of AI in health care across EU Member States

WHO Europe released its first comprehensive assessment of AI in healthcare across the 27 EU Member States. The report shows widespread adoption, with most countries already using AI in diagnostics and patient support, alongside growing investment in workforce training and governance. It highlights the need for stronger skills, public engagement and shared standards to ensure AI improves patient care safely, equitably and with public trust. Read more

EU RESEARCH PROJECTS

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).

DigiCare4You final event

Join the webinar: “From pilot to policy: scaling
DigiCare4You for better NCD Care”

Join the upcoming DigiCare4You interactive webinar on May 19, at 15:00-16:30, to explore how the project is moving beyond pilot initiatives toward real policy-level impact in the prevention and management of NCDs such as T2D and HTN.

The session will feature key findings and results from the project, alongside practical insights on how to implement and scale digital health interventions for NCD prevention and management in your own country. Through expert presentations and dynamic panel discussions, participants will gain a clearer understanding of both the challenges and
opportunities involved in integrating digital health solutions into national systems.

DiaPs: a new digital peer support tool for sport and diabetes

IDF Europe is part of the Erasmus+ project Sports & Diabetes: Diabetes Digital Peer S(up)port (DiaPs), which has been working on developing an app for peer support where PwD can share their experience of managing their condition during sport activities.

READINGS ON DIABETES

Readings on Diabetes, presented to IDF Europe by Angelo Argenteri, MD, Maria Stella de Sabata, MA, and Andrea Ascoli Marchetti, MD, is a journey through the major diabetes milestones, one of the oldest and still most widespread diseases, with anecdotes, stories, historical facts and a very rich iconography.

Each month, the IDF Europe Newsletter presents a chapter from Readings on Diabetes, which can be downloaded in full here.

14. Scipione Riva Rocci: the sphygmomanometer

In the quiet Ligurian village of San Michele di Pagana rests Scipione Riva Rocci, a name unfamiliar to many, yet central to one of the most important medical tools still in use today: the sphygmomanometer. Simple in design and unchanged in principle for over a century, this device made it possible to measure blood pressure easily and reliably – an essential step forward in modern medicine and in the care of PwD.

Driven by curiosity and influenced by the emerging link between medicine and mechanics, Riva Rocci developed a practical solution at a time when measuring blood pressure was complex and
unreliable. Notably, he chose never to patent his invention, allowing it to spread freely and benefit patients worldwide.

UPCOMING EVENTS ACROSS EUROPE

Webinar: “The pulse of tomorrow: shifting the paradigm for NCDs in global health architecture”
Online, May 12, 2026, 14:00-15:00 CET | Read more and register here

Webinar: “From pilot to policy: scaling DigiCare4You for better NCD Care”
Online, May 19, 2026, 15:00-16:30 CET | Read more and register here

European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 62nd Annual Meeting 
Milan, September 28 – October 2, 2026 | For more information, click here

IDF Europe Symposium at EASD 2026
Milan, October 1, 2026, 10:30-12:00 CET | More information will be available soon

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