Diabetes associations play a crucial part in improving the quality of life of people with diabetes, not only as advocate but also in their proactive role in diabetes care and management. An example can be found in the provision of diabetes education, a cornerstone of diabetes management, by associations all over the world. The results of a global survey on diabetes associations undertaken by IDF in 2002 show a dynamic process at work. The summary of these results are presented in the e-Atlas.
The number of diabetes associations continues to grow worldwide as reflected in the rise of membership in the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The number of people with diabetes that IDF member associations represent is well over two million. The growth in diabetes associations in the last 20 years possibly reflects the mounting numbers of people with diabetes as well as the gradual empowerment of those affected by the disease over the years.
It is significant to note that the majority of associations, which responded to the survey, have both people with diabetes and healthcare professionals in their membership. This could be due to the breakdown of traditional barriers between healthcare professionals and their patients as well as a reflection of a more collaborative approach to diabetes care and management.
It would also seem that a new role has emerged for diabetes associations. Whereas previously, diabetes associations worked primarily on behalf of their members, more than 70% of those which responded indicated that they now engaged in primary prevention activities of type 2 diabetes.
While diabetes associations vary in size and influence, they nonetheless reflect the changing role of people with diabetes from being patients to being partners in the healthcare process.