a global alliance of experts against diabetics was launched at a two-day workshop convened by the Pacific Northwest Research Institute in the us. Scientists and researchers from more than 20 countries came up with proposals to curb the disease, which claims most of its victims in the poor countries.
The Warren G Magnuson Congress for a Global Diabetes Alliance, which was organised by the institute, brought together over 100 diabetes experts for the workshop in Seattle in the last week of October. The alliance envisages to collect funds for research and actions to curb the growing diabetes rates across the world.
The proposals give importance to people at a higher risk of diabetes--the Asian Indians and Chinese. Recent estimates show that largest diabetic populations are in the developing world. Anoop Misra of Fortis Hospital, Delhi who attended the workshop, says Indians are more susceptible to diabetics risk owing to reasons including imbalanced nutrition, excessive smoking and urban stress.
The proposals are likely to be "country-specific funding agencies would be roped in if needed. In India, we might approach the Indian Council for Medical Research for funds if we fall short," he says. The proposals are likely to kickstart from mid-2008 in India and will be led by leading experts on diabetics in the country. "We would be conducting trials to understand the cause and prevention of childhood obesity, the genetic and the pathogenic aspect, the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. The activities would include educational programme for children at different levels to spread the importance of a balanced nutrition," he says.
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