JA-CHRODIS Workshop at the European Parliament: summary report, Brussels, 28 November 2016

Abstract

On 28 November, JA-CHRODIS organised a workshop at the European Parliament with the aim of presenting the Joint Action CHRODIS (EU Joint Action on Chronic Diseases and promoting healthy ageing across the life-cycle) to European policy makers. The workshop had a special focus to display the achievements in the field of diabetes prevention and management, and presenting the CHRODIS Platform. The event was hosted by MEP Therese Comodini Cachia (EPP), co-chair of the European Parliament Diabetes Working Group. Luciana Costa, researcher in the Department of Health Promotion and Prevention of Non-communicable diseases at the Portuguese National Institute of Health, presented the diabetes prevention and screening in vulnerable populations in Lisbon area. The objective of this intervention was to promote health in vulnerable communities in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, especially to detect undiagnosed diabetes and individuals at high-risk of diabetes. The screening was carried out outside of the national health system. The FINDRISK questionnaire was used for interviews to detect undiagnosed diabetes and individuals at-risk (58% women and 42 % men; mean age 57 years). All activities, such as health promotion and diabetes prevention sessions for the general public and training for health and social professionals, were implemented within the community with strong support from municipalities, healthcare providers, local NGOs. Results showed that out of 11.712 people who carried out the risk assessment, 1.959 were identified as having high/very high risk of developing diabetes. In this group, around 20% of individuals had undiagnosed diabetes. The most valued factors for the population were both that awareness actions were free of charge and due to a close relationship with municipalities, healthcare providers and local NGOs, the stronger feeling of belonging to the community. According to Mr Bernal, this particular Portuguese good practice scores the highest among the evaluated practices submitted to the CHRODIS Platform. Responding to a question from the audience about the effect of the report received from the evaluators working behind the CHRODIS platform, Ms Costa said that they had their own evaluation process, yet an input from the experts outside of the system was very important to them.