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The Future of Diabetes: What Is There Besides New Medicines?

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

Sometimes—if one gets a chance—it can be refreshing to step back from the daily demands of medical management of diabetes and think about what opportunities lie ahead, in addition to new medicines, that could help reduce the diabetes burden. Certainly, over the past few decades, we 1) have learned much about diabetes; 2) are generally doing better for people with diabetes (although we still have a ways to go); and 3) have become aware that more and more people with diabetes are going to need health care. What is out there to think about? While important and exciting research continues, listed below and briefly discussed are 10 other challenges for the diabetes community over the next few decades.

1. Continuing the Improvements in Diabetes Care

Most recent studies have documented that diabetes care is gradually getting better.1 Whether measured by preventive behaviors of patients and/or health professionals, laboratory results, or other outcomes, there has been steady improvement in both diabetes management and the consequences of that management.

Certainly, not all people with diabetes are experiencing these benefits. We always have to be careful about "publication bias" (i.e., only positive results are published), and the glass is not completely filled (although it does seem to be filling up). The last 30% or so of the "diabetes care glass" may be more difficult than the first 70%, because we may have influenced the so-called early adopters (i.e., tackled those challenges that require some, but not complex management strategies and worked mainly with those people with diabetes who have the resources, jobs, education, and so forth to more easily benefit from our efforts).2 But we have gained . . . [Full Text of this Article]

2. Recognizing and Addressing the Complexities of Diabetes Management

3. Improving the "System of Care"

4. Broadening the Definition of the "Office"

5. Addressing the Dual Impact of the Diabetes Epidemic

6. Recognizing and Dealing With "Non-Health Forces" on Diabetes Prevention and Control

7. Taking Special Opportunities for Health Professionals

8. Empowering Patients for More Than Good Self-Care

9. Achieving a Balance Between Individuality and Community

10. Accepting and Embracing Globalization

Conclusion

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