Early intervention to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes benefits people who are at high risk of developing the condition in terms of increased life expectancy and quality of life. It also benefits societies and healthcare systems in economic terms. In order to address the growing impact of type 2 diabetes, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Task Force on Prevention and Epidemiology convened a consensus workshop in 2006. Its primary goal was the prevention of type 2 diabetes in developed and developing countries. A secondary aim was to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in people who are identified as being at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. George Alberti and Paul Zimmet take us through the IDF plan.
prevention, screening, type 2 diabetes, consensus, lifestyles