Diabetes Ireland calls on the public to avail of Diabetes Screening Days for free Type 2 Diabetes testing and information
L-to-R: Pauline Dunne, Dietitian, Diabetes Ireland, Sinead Powell, Dietitian, Diabetes Ireland, Mr. Ger Brennan, Managing Director, MSD Ireland, Dr Anna Clarke, Head of Health Promotion and Research, Diabetes Ireland.
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Diabetes Ireland and healthcare company MSD join forces for Diabetes Screening Days to raise awareness of Type 2 Diabetes, which to date have helped over 3,000 people across the country
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It’s estimated that about 1 out of every 15 adults in Ireland has diabetes1
May 2017: A series of ‘Diabetes Screening Days’, run by Diabetes Ireland in partnership with healthcare company MSD, has been officially launched for 2017. The widely successful national initiative is set to kick off in May, with a number of Diabetes Screening Days open to all adults, taking place in 10 selected pharmacies across the country. Now in its fourth year, the free education and screening programme has to date helped over 3,000 people from across Ireland get advice on how to effectively prevent or manage the condition.
Members of the public are welcome to come along and meet the Diabetes Ireland team at the Screening Days and avail of a free and simple test for Type 2 Diabetes. People at particularly high risk of developing the condition, such as those over 40 years of age, or those lacking physical exercise, are especially encouraged to attend an event. Adults who have already been diagnosed with the condition are also encouraged to drop in and refresh their knowledge on effectively managing their health.
With rapidly increasing obesity rates amongst Irish adults2, it is estimated that now about 1 out of every 15 adults has diabetes1. Type 2 Diabetes, which often develops slowly in adulthood, is progressive and usually requires continuous and careful management with medication and/or insulin injections.
Launching the 2017 series of Diabetes Screening Days with Diabetes Ireland, Nicola Fullam, MSD Ireland Patient Programme Manager, commented, “This is our fourth year to partner with Diabetes Ireland in the roll-out of this nationwide initiative, and we are delighted that the public and local pharmacies continue to value and support this important campaign. We hope it helps raise awareness of Type 2 Diabetes and supports people to be more proactive in the management of their health”.
Speaking about the importance of the programme, Dr. Anna Clarke, Health Promotion and Research Manager, Diabetes Ireland, said, “With chronic conditions such as diabetes, it is important that people are empowered to take control of their health and are fully informed on how to identify and manage their condition proactively. Knowledge on the risk factors around raised glucose levels and tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle are crucial for both the prevention and management of this condition. We’re delighted to continue our work with MSD on the Diabetes Screening Days, and are looking forward to providing the public with information on a national and local level.”
The Diabetes Screening Days are set to begin at Cork on May 12th and will continue throughout the summer.
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References
- Diabetes Ireland website, 2017 https://www.diabetes.ie/about-us/diabetes-in-ireland/
- Healthy Ireland, Obesity Policy and Action Plan 2016 – 2025 http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/A-Healthy-Weight-for-Ireland-Obesity-Policy-and-Action-Plan-2016-2025.pdf
About MSD
MSD, known as Merck in the United States and Canada, has operations in more than 140 countries. MSD employs approximately 1,800 people across its sites in Ireland, which encompass manufacturing, R&D, commercial and marketing facilities in addition to global support services.
As a global leader in healthcare, we are dedicated to helping the world be well through a wide range of innovative health solutions. This includes the development, production and distribution of prescription medicines, vaccines and biologic therapies as well as animal health products. We also drive and support the on-going development of patient support initiatives.
Our core values are driven by the desire to improve life, achieve scientific excellence, operate with the highest standards of integrity, expand access to our products, and employ a diverse workforce that values collaboration. Many of the most widely used MSD medicines are developed by our teams in Ireland, with over 50% of MSD’s global top 20 products now manufactured here in Ireland. We have invested hugely in the Irish market and our Irish sites are highly regarded, and renowned, by our colleagues across the globe.