European Union calls for action against diabetes

An official warning from the heights of the European Union has lambasted diabetes as ‘without a doubt the most underestimated disease.’ Furthermore, based on evidence from EU member states, diabetes figures in Europe could triple to approximately sixty million over the course of the next twenty years if urgent steps to improve diet and exercise are not taken.
A health minister for Austria reportedly condemned the fact that 14 out of the 25 member states in the EU had not even initiated a nationwide healthcare programme to tackle the type 2 diabetes problems. The politician was reported as saying that: “Diabetes is avoidable and preventable and that is why it is absolutely necessary to take it seriously.”
The EU is currently holding meetings amongst health ministers to attempt to coordinate their efforts to fight the disease. The news comes following the decision by 350 members of the European Parliament who adopted a resolution demanding more spending on diabetes and prevention.
In the European Union diabetes currently affects some 22.5 million people, according to the WHO (World Health Organisation.) The need for preventative measures to combat the disease has never been more serious. The WHO also estimates that there are 300 million obese people worldwide.