UK Ranked 2nd For Diabetes Care In The First Euro Consumer Diabetes Index; Trails Denmark

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 01 Oct 2008 - 9:00 PST

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British diabetes care is the 2nd best in Europe, according to the first Euro Consumer Diabetes Index. Denmark leads the Index ranking, UK being the runner-up, only one point behind and ahead of France. The outcome is a welcome advance from the UK's performance in the last European Health Consumer Index, where they were ranked 17th, and the Heart Index, where they were placed 9th.

The Diabetes Index compares care systems around Europe from a consumer point of view. In five categories, covering 26 performance indicators, UK scored 836 points from a potential 1,000.

"This is an indication of what can be achieved by treating diabetes early in the healthcare chain. However, it could be much, much better." says Dr. Beatriz Cebolla Garrofé, Project Manager for the Diabetes Index. "The UK's levels of obesity and low rates of physical activity are undermining the benefits of the diabetes care available."

What more could be done in the UK?

"The NHS needs to act on the known risk factors for diabetes; routine prevention measures such as cholesterol and blood sugar monitoring are not at adequate levels; despite the well-documented lifestyle issues in the UK" states the President of the Health Consumer Powerhouse, Mr. Johan Hjertqvist, analysing the Index outcome implications for the UK. "Provision of routine screening would provide a significant improvement to the UK provision of diabetes care".

About the Index

The Euro Consumer Diabetes Index provides the first ever ranking of European diabetes healthcare services across five key areas: Information, Consumer Rights and Choice; Generosity, Prevention; Access to procedures and Outcomes. The Diabetes Index is sourced from public statistics and independent research. The producer is the analysis and information organisation; Health Consumer Powerhouse. As with all other HCP Indexes, the organisation takes a consumer-centred position. The Index is produced with the help of an unrestricted grant from Pfizer Inc.

For more information and the explanatory report here.

Health Consumer Powerhouse