Johnson launches diabetes coalition

Johnson & Johnson’s Diabetes Institute has launched Diabetes How: Helping Our World, which it describes as an international coalition dedicated to replicating and identifying successful community-based solutions to enhance diabetes prevention and care.

The company states more than 25 health leaders from a total of 12 countries are taking part in the Diabetes How Summit in order to establish guiding principles for the new body, as well as shoring model programmes for the promotion of healthy eating.

Johnson & Johnson states the initial focus of the new coalition is on children at risk of – and who currently have – diabetes.

The inaugural member organisation in the coalition has been confirmed as the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes.

Dr James R Gavin, co-chair of the Diabetes How Global Advisory Board, as well as chief executive officer and chief medical officer of Healing Our Village, states the current economic crisis “potentially worsens” an “already challenging” situation.

“Economic troubles impact health by limiting access to acute and preventive care, medications and supplies; disrupting maintenance of chronic conditions such as diabetes; and limiting healthy nutritional choices,” he adds.

Diabetes How states it will focus its efforts on a number of areas, including access to care, cost of treatment and self management for a healthy lifestyle.