The Diabetes UK Opening symposium, taking place on Wednesday 11 March 2009, 08:45-10:30, was dedicated to the theme of the conference, and the celebration of Diabetes UK 75th Anniversary. Details of the session are available here.
This theme represented and highlighted:
- the change from the basic disease model of the 1930’s, when the British Diabetic Association was first formed, to a condition that is now understood to include social and bio-psychological elements as well as metabolic, vascular, endocrinological, genetic and immunological components.
- the recent paradigm shift in the understanding and management of diabetes; diabetes has been transformed from a disease treated exclusively by healthcare professionals to the present integrated care system involving the wider community and patients themselves as care agents.
- the exciting and innovative new developments in research, technology and clinical practice which continue to re-define the frontiers of diabetes; a range of these will be explored during the conference
Diabetes UK 75th Anniversary - Celebrating 75 years of improving lives
In 2009, Diabetes UK, formerly the British Diabetic Association, is celebrating 75 years of improving lives, as it is our 75th Anniversary.
Diabetes UK is the leading charity for the three million people in the UK with diabetes. It funds more than £7 million of research every year as well as campaigning and providing information and support. More than half a million people in the UK have diabetes but do not know it.
The 75th Anniversary will be marked with a series of events, including the Annual Professional Conference, that encourages and supports the drive to improve the lives of people with diabetes into the future.
