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World Diabetes Day on November 14: New Information Offerings on www.diabinfo.de

Around seven million people in Germany have diabetes mellitus. In 2040, up to 12 million people could be affected by type 2 diabetes. The disease usually develops insidiously and can remain completely symptom-free for years. It is all the more important to inform the population about the risks and the preventive potential. The independent diabetes information portal www.diabinfo.de, initiated by the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), offers quality-assured and scientifically sound information about the prevention of the disease and about living with diabetes – and now also in Turkish. Offerings in other languages are in preparation.

Logo diabinfo.de. Source: diabinfo.de

Professor Heidrun Thaiss, executive director of the Federal Centre for Health Education: “Type 2 diabetes is an insidious disease with a high preventive potential if one is aware of the risk factors. That is why we are pleased to constantly expand our internet offering. Type 2 diabetes often strikes many people out of nowhere. In addition to overweight/obesity, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet as risk factors, type 2 diabetes can also have a genetic component. On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, we are therefore using advertising motifs throughout Germany to draw attention to the disease. We are also encouraging people to take an online test provided on www.diabinfo.de to determine their own diabetes risk and to seek medical advice if there is any suspicion.”

The portal also contains comprehensive information about the coronavirus that is relevant for people with diabetes and their family members. In a new sub-portal, diabetes counselors can now also find practical content on exercise, nutrition, diabetes in various stages of life and other cultures. Further information such as addresses of specialists, specialist clinics, nutritional advice, self-help groups and presentation templates provide support for daily counseling work.

Professor Matthias Tschöpscientific director of Helmholtz Zentrum München: "The goal of our research is a world without diabetes. To achieve this, patient care, prevention and research must go hand in hand. As one of the world's largest diabetes research centers, we have a commitment to society to help people with diabetes cope with their disease and take responsibility for their own health. The diabinfo portal is an important communication tool in this endeavor."

Professor Michael Roden, scientific director of the German Diabetes Center and board member of the German Center for Diabetes Research: “Our aim is to adapt the prevention and care for diabetes to the individual needs of those affected, their family members, but also all those interested. This not only requires state-of-the-art clinical research, to which we at the DDZ are committed, but also targeted information with new formats such as the diabinfo portal, which will further facilitate communication in society about diabetes."

Professor Martin Hrabě de Angelis, member of the board and spokesperson of the German Center for Diabetes Research: "In the next step, we will also provide specialist offerings for physicians in the specialist group portal and will include the latest results from research."

The information on www.diabinfo.de is aimed at people with diabetes, people with a special risk of diabetes, as well as their family members, diabetes counselors and those interested in the topic. In addition to basic knowledge, current news, background articles and frequently asked questions, the online portal contains explain videos, podcasts, infographics and quizzes. Teaching materials are available for diabetes educators to download free of charge. There is also the opportunity to ask personal questions, which are answered individually by experts. The diabinfo portal is funded mainly by the BZgA and provided and regularly updated by the leading centers for diabetes research in Germany – Helmholtz Zentrum München, the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD).

Further information: www.diabinfo.de