Diabetes in the adult population is essentially a cardiovascular disease. This viewpoint is especially true of the type-2 variety of this condition. The constellation of clinical symptoms and signs mediated by a combination of obesity, insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia is often associated with diverse complications and co-morbidities representing a much wider spectrum of chronic neurological, gynaecological, renal and mental health conditions.

The escalating and complex burden of type-2 diabetes is a demographic feature of population statistics in most parts of the world. Often underestimated in this context is the socioeconomic and financial burden of the disease, manifest in entire communities and population groups in the low and middle-income countries of western and sub-Saharan Africa.

75 percent of African countries lack the necessary primary data on diabetes prevalence to assess the overall impact on productivity and consumption of health resources. 70 percent of diabetics in this region remain undiagnosed while per capita expenditure on diabetes care remains significantly behind most other regions of the world.

The total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2017 was $327 billion, including $237 billion in direct medical costs and $90 billion in reduced productivity.

By comparison, the UK National Health Service (NHS) spends an estimated £14 billion each year (10 percent of its annual budget) on the treatment of 3.5 million patients diagnosed with diabetes and associated co-morbid illnesses, a figure not calculated to include the cost of absenteeism, early retirement due to complications or the cost of social benefits and other entitlements applicable as a result of chronic ill health.

Far from being a statement about affordability, this raises significant concern regarding the reality of a worldwide diabetes ‘epidemic’ and the current capability of the world’s most vulnerable nations and communities to withstand the clinical, socioeconomic and fiscal requirements of this debilitating and aggressive chronic disease.

Diabetes in the adult population is essentially a cardiovascular disease. This viewpoint is especially true of the type-2 variety of this condition. The constellation of clinical signs and symptoms mediated by a combination of obesity, insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia is often associated with diverse complications and co-morbidities representing a much wider spectrum of chronic metabolic conditions affecting several systems of the body.

Diabesity ’23 focuses on the evidence-based management of diabetes and obesity in primary and secondary care. It is the first in a series of 7 continuing medical education Masterclasses and seminars aimed at ‘Navigating Diabetes Care’ through the complexities and challenges frequently encountered in the diagnosis and treatment of this serious and debilitating disease.

The Diabesity ’23 Masterclass is organised and hosted by BeyHealth Consulting in collaboration with the Duchess International Hospital and in partnership with Medtronic. The Navigating Diabetes Care series comprises 7 CME accredited workshops and Masterclasses leading up to the 2023 edition of the annual primary care diabetes conference.

This Masterclass contributes a specific dimension to the discussion on evidence-based approaches to the management of type-2 diabetes and related cardiovascular disease. It outlines both surgical and non-surgical treatment options aimed at encouraging weight loss and addressing the effects of type-2 diabetes and associated metabolic disease.

The programme highlights the true financial cost of managing type-2 diabetes and examines the clinical, psychological and social implications of this complex and increasingly sub-Saharan healthcare phenomenon.

The Diabesity ’23 Masterclass is suitable for General Practitioners (GPs), specialist doctors in secondary care, nurses, medical directors, hospital administrators, pharmacists, dieticians, allied health professionals and primary and secondary care providers and practitioners involved in the management of type-2 diabetes and associated chronic disease.

Speakers at the 2023 Navigating Diabetes Care series will present a fresh and expert appraisal of the subject through a variety of clinical and allied health perspectives. Each session will broaden delegates’ understanding of this vast and significant global health challenge and aim to focus attention on a specific area of consideration in relation to the wider aims of the programme. The lecture schedule includes a full list of speakers for each session of the 7 Masterclass programmes.

Themes and objectives throughout Navigating Diabetes Care 2023 are organised into the following key Masterclass streams:

M1 – Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk

M2 – Macrovascular and microvascular complications

M3 – T2DM guidelines, diagnosis and treatment

M4 – T2DM and mental health

M5 – Diabetes multi-morbidity and complications

M6 – Healthcare funding, policy and administration

By the end of the series, delegates will be expected to have:

1. Acquired an understanding of the aetiology and ‘risk’ implications of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and associated co-morbid disease.
2. Explored the presentation and evidence-based treatment of common and under-recognised co-morbidities and complications contributing to the burden of chronic ill health in diabetic patients.
3. Become familiar with prevalence data relevant to regional patterns of diabetes and implications of such data for health systems planning, policy implementation and resourcing.
4. Considered the socioeconomic impact of diabetes complications on local communities and entire population groups, vis-à-vis employment, disability, cost of living and treatment expenses, social isolation and stigmatisation.
5. Discussed specific examples of innovative funding and cross-sector collaboration in healthcare financing applicable to diabetes management in low and middle-income countries.