Creating Sustainable Impact with Local Partners: Action4Diabetes

Health equity remains a global health challenge that disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, straining already fragile healthcare systems. It’s estimated 540 million people worldwide have diabetes, with the majority living in low and middle income countries. Both the number of cases and prevalence have been increasing steadily over the past few decades.¹

The Global Health Unit (GHU) is working in transforming diabetes care in 40 countries with the highest unmet needs. But we aren’t able to do it alone and strong local partners, with an understanding of the unique challenges and barriers are critical to our collective success in creating sustainable change. One example is our partnership with Action4Diabetes (A4D) to improve the lives of people living with Type 1 diabetes in Cambodia, Lao, and Myanmar.

Education is critical in creating sustainable impact and strengthening healthcare systems. Our partnership with A4D is two-fold and tackles this challenge. The GHU is supporting capacity building efforts with healthcare professional training, as well as patient/community training through Family Camps. Additionally, we are helping to improve access to blood monitoring supplies for all young people in the A4D program. By investing in education and training we have the potential to improve patient outcomes.

We are starting to see the impact of this partnership and the difference we can make in the lives of people living with Type 1 diabetes in low and middle income countries. Learn more about our partnership with Action4Diabetes here