Diabetes Leadership Forum 2009 seeks solutions to reduce long-term public healthcare costs

"A recent survey showed that the age-standardized rate of diabetes among adults living in urban areas is up to 9.7% in China," said Prof. Yang Wenying, chairman of Chinese Diabetes Society. That means approximately 92.4 million people in China have diabetes, Prof. Yang revealed on 31st October 2009 in Beijing at The Diabetes Leadership Forum 2009 China, an international conference co-hosted by the Chinese Ministry of Health and the World Diabetes Foundation. The Chinese government is taking the threat seriously, implementing concrete actions to fight the epidemic.

"Chronic diseases such as diabetes are becoming public health challenges," said Chinese Minister of Health Chen Zhu to an audience of more than 600 delegates, including government officials, medical professionals, and experts from around the world. "Improving prevention and treatment is critical for realising the goals of the country's new reform plan, Healthy China 2020." Minister Chen revealed that in the coming months he will be announcing a national plan on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases from 2010-2020.

The forum's core message was a national and global call for action to reverse the diabetes epidemic, thereby improving people's lives, reducing long-term healthcare costs, and securing productivity and growth. Speakers encouraged cooperation across sectors and borders to advance diabetes treatment and prevention, increase public education of the disease, and improve early diagnosis and care in pregnant women, infants and children.