 DIABETES 360°
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Slovenian Diabetes Association celebrates 70 years in 2026 IDF Europe congratulates the Slovenian Diabetes Association (ZDDS) on its 70th anniversary. Founded in Ljubljana on October 21, 1956, ZDDS has grown into a national network of 37 local associations, representing approximately 13,000 members across Slovenia. For seven decades, it has supported PwD through education, prevention, advocacy and awareness initiatives. Among its long-standing activities are the Sladkorna bolezen magazine, published since 1985, and the #DarujemKilometre (#DonateKilometres) campaign, which  |
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Thank you for supporting EU Screening Week 2026 IDF Europe would like to thank its members associations and partners for their efforts in raising awareness of the importance of early detection and prevention during EU Screening Week, held from September 28 to October 4, 2026. Through their activities and outreach, associations helped highlight the importance of knowing our numbers and identifying risk factors for diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These initiatives are essential to promoting timely diagnosis, improving health outcomes, and ensuring that  |
IDF EUROPE NEWS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
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IDF Europe supports stronger community involvement through EUPATI expert training Sabine Dupont, IDF Europe’s Director, Strategy and Policy, and Joana Amorim, IDFE’s former Youth Programme Coordinator, are now EUPATI fellows, having attended the EUPATI Expert Training that took place in Sitges, Spain, on October 26-29. As a EUPATI partner, IDF Europe supports efforts to equip advocates and people living with health conditions with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the lifecycle of medicines and other health technologies from conception through to reimbursement and beyond. Applications are now open for the next EUPATI training cohort, offering an opportunity for health advocates to develop their expertise and strengthen their role in shaping healthcare. |
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Irish Presidency Conference highlights the need for greater cooperation on clinical trials and medicines access Sabine Dupont also attended the High-Level Ministerial Presidency Conference on Clinical Trials and Medicines Access in Dublin on October 7-8. The event brought together representatives from patient organisations, academia, EU institutions, regulators and other healthcare stakeholders to discuss how to strengthen Europe’s clinical research and improve access to medicines. Discussions underlined the need for closer integration across research, clinical trials, regulation, health technology assessment and healthcare systems across the EU. Two We look forward to the next steps to ensure PwD and other health conditions have improved access to medicines. |
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IDF Europe participates in EMA’s stakeholder meeting Iryna Vlasenko represented IDF Europe at the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) joint meeting of its Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party (PCWP), Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party (HCPWP) and eligible organisations on October 20-21. The two-day meeting brought together patient organisations, healthcare professionals (HCPs) and regulatory stakeholders to discuss key developments in medicines regulation. Discussions covered the implementation of the new EU pharmaceutical legislation, including opportunities to |
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IDF Europe at the WHO Regional Committee for Europe The 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 27-29. IDF Europe’s Regional Manager, Elisabeth Dupont, and Youth Engagement and Strategy Lead, Cameron Keighron, attended the meeting. Through two oral statements and one written statement, IDF Europe called for stronger action on NCDs, person-centred and integrated care throughout life, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. Across these areas, IDF Europe |
IDF Europe’s EASD 2026 symposium report explores AI
and the future of diabetes education
IDF Europe has published its EASD 2026 symposium report, summarising discussions on how AI and digital technologies can support more personalised, accessible and equitable diabetes education. Bringing together PwD, HCPs and experts, the symposium calls for the potential of these technologies while emphasising the importance of keeping PwD at the centre of care.
Interested in learning more about the future of diabetes education in the AI era? Listen to our latest podcast episode, featuring diabetes nurse, Dr. Rita Forde and diabetes educator and advocate, Maartje Roskams, where we explore how digital tools and AI are transforming diabetes education and care.
IDF Europe partners with Football is Medicine to promote
physical activity in diabetes care
IDF Europe is collaborating with the Football is Medicine group to help translate scientific evidence into practical opportunities for PwD. As part of this collaboration, IDF Europe contributed to a new evidence-based Football for Diabetes manual developed by researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and the University of the Faroe Islands. The manual provides practical guidance for implementing football-based exercise programmes for people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or intermediate hyperglycaemia (often referred to as prediabetes), while highlighting the benefits of team sports for social inclusion and sustained engagement in physical activity.
IDF Europe looks forward to attending the Football is Medicine Conference in Odense, Denmark, on January 26-29, 2027. The call for abstracts is now open for those interested in contributing to the conference.
IDF Europe calls for integrated health checks in Parliament Magazine
In an opinion article published in the Parliament Magazine, Maxence Prizzi, IDF Europe’s EU Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, discussed the close links between cardiovascular disease (CVD), kidney disease, obesity and diabetes. The article calls for integrated health checks to identify interconnected risks early and ensure timely, coordinated NCD care. It underlines the importance of the EU’s Safe Hearts Plan in strengthening prevention and improving access to appropriate follow-up and care.
UNDERSTANDING DIABETES AND HEALTH
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World Food Day 2026: innovating for healthier and more accessible food systems World Food Day 2026 draws attention to the importance of food security and access to affordable, nutritious food for health and well-being. For PwD, a healthy diet is an important part of diabetes management, while healthier food environments can also help reduce the risk of T2D. Innovation in food systems, from scientific and digital solutions to sustainable food production and improved distribution, can help address these challenges. However, innovation must be supported by policies that make nutritious food accessible and affordable for everyone.  |
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World Mental Health Day: making it an integral part of diabetes care World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the close link between mental health and overall well-being. For PwD, the emotional impact of the condition can be significant. They are two to three times more likely to experience depression than people without diabetes. The ongoing demands of diabetes self-management can also contribute to stress, anxiety and diabetes burnout, affecting well-being and quality of life. IDF Europe calls for mental health support to be integrated into diabetes care, including timely access to psychological support, training for  |
World Stem Cell Day: translating scientific advances into progress in diabetes care
Stem cell-based therapies have the potential to advance research towards a potential cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D), including through approaches that replace insulin-producing beta cells.
While these developments offer hope for the future, translating scientific advances into safe, effective and accessible treatments requires sustained investment, collaboration and a regulatory environment that supports clinical development.
The Biotech Act also represents an opportunity to advance innovation, address unmet medical needs and promote equitable access to future treatments.
Discover how IDF Europe helped bring the voices and perspectives of people living with T1D into the EU-funded ISLET project, helping to ensure that lived experience informs research into stem cell-based therapies.
WHAT WE ARE READING
New ADA/EASD consensus report on T2D management – Diabetologia
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) have published an updated 2026 consensus report on the management of T2D in adults. The recommendations adopt a more holistic approach, addressing not only glucose management but also weight management, cardiovascular and kidney protection, psychological support and lifestyle interventions. The report also advocates earlier use of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1-based therapies to improve long-term outcomes. Read
more.
AI-powered screening could help reduce inequalities in diabetic retinopathy detection – Nature Communications
A new study published in Nature Communications led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin and the University of Iowa, has explored the potential of autonomous AI to reduce disparities in diabetic retinopathy screening among young people with T1D. The ACCESS2 study found that AI-based screening achieved equivalent screening completion rates among white and non-white participants, highlighting the potential of this technology to improve equitable access to eye screening and support earlier detection of diabetes-related complications. Read more.
New position statement on hybrid closed-loop systems in T1D – Sociedad Española de Diabetes
The Spanish Diabetes Society (SED) has published a new position statement on hybrid closed-loop systems for people living with T1D. Developed by its Working Groups on Diabetes Technology and Therapeutic Education, the document addresses the use of automated insulin delivery technologies and highlights the importance of combining technological advances with appropriate therapeutic education to support diabetes management. Read more.
OUR NETWORK
T2GETHER Summit 2026 brings together diabetes
advocates in Brussels
IDF Europe brought together people living with T2D from across Europe for the T2GETHER Summit 2026 in Brussels. The event welcomed new T2GETHER members, as well as graduates of the pilot T2GETHER Advocacy Training Programme, which concluded at the Summit.
Through interactive sessions, participants explored storytelling, active listening, effective stakeholder communication and how to turn lived experiences into compelling advocacy messages. Discussions reinforced the value of lived experience and the unique
perspectives people living with T2D bring to shaping diabetes care, research and policy.
The Summit also highlighted the importance of peer support, shared experiences and a strong sense of community in building confidence and empowering members to take an active role in advocacy.
EU-FUNDED PROJECTS
MOVEUP – empowering people with chronic conditions through sport
IDF 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 through tailored sport that promotes fun, inclusive environments and supports better health.
MOVEUP shares lessons for more inclusive
physical activity across Europe
IDF Europe has concluded the Erasmus+ MOVEUP project with two dissemination events: an in-person meeting in Brussels on October 13 and an online webinar on October 20. The events brought together project partners and stakeholders to share findings and practical resources for making sport and physical activity more inclusive for people living with chronic health conditions, including T2D and cardiovascular conditions.
Through adapted team sports, such as walking football, walking basketball and catch ball, MOVEUP explored ways to promote physical activity, mental well-being and social connection. The project also developed practical resources, to support the delivery of inclusive sports programmes, underlining the benefits of team sports for both physical health and a sense of belonging.
UPCOMING EVENTS
International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) – 52nd Annual Conference
November 4-7, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
World Diabetes Day Exhibition
November 9-12, European Parlament, Brussels
Football is Medicine Conference
January 26-29, 2027, Odense, Denmark
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Congress in Singapore
April 9-12, 2027, Singapore
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