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Novartis has launched a campaign that will educate patients to become more active partners in managing their type 2 diabetes.
The “Know Your Diabetes” campaign, announced ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14, aims to improve patient education, so that patients are better able to avoid or delay complications associated with their disease. Through greater awareness of symptoms and effective treatments that minimise treatment related side effects, including hypoglycemia and weight gain, patients and their physicians will be better able to achieve improved treatment and disease outcomes.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that represents a serious public health issue and Novartis is committed to improving the lives of people living with it. Every 10 seconds someone dies from diabetes related causes. Knowing more about the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and treatment related side-effects is important for patients, so that they can recognise when they might need to speak to their doctor and seek additional support to help improve their disease management.
The “Know Your Diabetes” patient education campaign comprises multiple initiatives which will be coordinated by Novartis country organisations in collaboration with patient advocacy groups and healthcare providers.
“Novartis is committed to delivering programs that support patients in improving their overall health outcomes,” said Ameet Nathwani, MD, Global Head of the Cardiovascular & Metabolism Development Franchise at Novartis Pharma AG.
“Through educating patients to be more aware of the difference between symptoms and treatment related side effects, Novartis is bringing new levels of support and partnership to patients and their healthcare providers.”
“The International Diabetes Federation’s World Diabetes Day campaign is pleased to be joined by the launch of “Know Your Diabetes” as part of the global campaign for diabetes awareness. We want all those responsible for diabetes care to better understand the disease and take control,” said Phil Riley, who leads World Diabetes Day for the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
“Diabetes is a progressive disease, and it is essential that people with diabetes play an integral role in managing their own condition, understanding the signs and symptoms of poor management, and striving for optimal control.”
Novartis has partnered with the IDF since 2000. In 2007, Novartis worked with the IDF to achieve a landmark United Nations resolution whereby the diabetes epidemic was recognized as a global threat; the first time governments acknowledged that a non-infectious disease posed as serious a threat to world health as infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
The resolution designated the existing World Diabetes Day – November 14 – as a United Nations Day to be observed every year. It called on all nations to develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes.
