Diabetes in Europe - Prospects for research
A symposium on diabetes research in Europe, organized by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), in cooperation with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Science, Research and Development, was held in Brussels on 5 March 1997. The symposium brought together some 80 participants from throughout the European Union, including Members of the European Parliament, the European region of the International Diabetes Federation, representing all associations of diabetic patients in Europe, and ALFEDIAM (Association Française pour l'Etude du Diabète et des Maladies Métaboliques). Diabetes is a major health problem in the European Union, affecting more than 10 million people and representing 8% of direct health costs. Diabetologists believe that in the near future, significant discoveries will be feasible which will open up new ways of treatment and prevention of the different forms of diabetes. In order to achieve these goals, an outstanding effort is necessary, at the European level, over the next few years.