Professor Stephen Colagiuri to chair WISH Diabetes Forum

Professor Stephen Colagiuri, WISH Forum Chair for Diabetes

Professor Colagiuri will guide the work of a multidisciplinary team composed of leading experts from around the world. The Forum will produce evidence-based research addressing the main issues facing policymakers and others responsible for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Results, findings and recommendations from the Forum will be presented for discussion at the WISH Summit taking place in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar, on 17-18 February 2015.

Professor Colagiuri is a world-renowned diabetes expert. His research has focused on evidence-based guideline development and implementations, screening for type 2 diabetes, prevention of type 2 diabetes, economic aspects of diabetes prevention and care, diabetes care delivery in developing countries, and vascular risk assessment in people with diabetes. He has published over 200 scientific papers on diabetes.

He is also a member of the Australian National Diabetes Strategy Taskforce, the immediate past Chair of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Clinical Guidelines and an adviser to the World Health Organization. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of the IDF journal, Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.

Issues investigated

The Diabetes Forum, one of seven to publish reports at WISH 2015, will investigate a range of diabetes related issues in the coming months, including:

• An overview of the current burden of diabetes globally and projections for likely future scenarios
  
• How effective treatments for both Type 2 diabetes are implemented and what policy levers might be used to ensure they are applied consistently in diabetes care
  
• A review of case studies from across the world of successful implementation of innovative, practical and cost effective treatments and prevention strategies

Professor Colagiuri said, "Our current approach to diabetes is totally unsustainable in the face of its extraordinary growth - especially in healthcare systems that are least well equipped to deal with it.

"Our team will bring a range of perspectives to bear on this urgent health priority and I look forward to working with some of the world's leading experts. We want to help equip policymakers with the evidence and guidance they need to confront diabetes for the sake of current and future generations."

Professor The Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chair of WISH and Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College of London, said, "Diabetes is widely recognised as a looming global health crisis. It causes significant human suffering, commonly damaging the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves - and its social and economic impact is vast, especially in poorer countries. Challenging our approach to confronting Type 2 diabetes is a major priority, and I am delighted that Professor Stephen Colagiuri has taken up this task on behalf of WISH."

With the appointment of Professor Colagiuri as Chair of the Diabetes Forum, WISH aims to improve care for people with diabetes globally, examine innovative and cost effective solutions and demonstrate where policymakers can make practical interventions to ensure treatment is applied consistently so that all patients can benefit.

WISH Summit offers seven research work streams

Diabetes is one of seven research work streams to be presented at the 2015 WISH Summit, where world-leading experts will join an influential community of heads of state, government ministers, academics, clinicians, policy makers and business leaders to discuss innovative solutions to some of the most pressing global health challenges.

As well as Diabetes, WISH will publish reports on Communicating Complex Health Messages, Delivering Affordable Cancer Care, Dementia, Universal Health Coverage, Mental Health and Well-being in Children and Young People, and Patient Safety.

WISH is spearheaded by Qatar Foundation and remains closely aligned to the vision and mission of the foundation to unlock human potential and serve to underscore Qatar's pioneering role as an emerging centre for healthcare innovation. Held under the patronage of its Chairperson, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, WISH organised its inaugural Summit in Doha last year, convening more than 1000 global healthcare leaders.

For more information, go to www.wish.org.qa.