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In the lead-up to World Diabetes Day, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide campaign, enabling residents to assess their diabetes risk at participating pharmacies.
65 pharmacies across Luxembourg are set to participate in the 2024 campaign offering individuals the chance to assess their diabetes risk directly at a pharmacy. This initiative builds on last year's campaign, during which 1,300 people took advantage of the testing opportunity.
Campaign for World Diabetes Day: 11 to 17 November
Launched by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Luxembourg Pharmacists' Union (SPL) and the Luxembourg Diabetes Association (ALD), this year's awareness campaign coincides with World Diabetes Day on 14 November. The campaign will run from 11 to 17 November, aiming to raise awareness about diabetes prevention and early detection.
One of the campaign's primary goals is to make diabetes risk assessments more accessible. SPL President Alain De Bourcy emphasised the hereditary nature of type 2 diabetes, advising those with close relatives affected by the condition to consider participating in the testing.
Accessible testing
In 2023, the campaign led to the testing of 1,300 people, with 200 of them discovering either inadequate blood sugar levels or an increased risk of diabetes. According to global data, approximately one in three individuals with diabetes remains unaware of their condition–underscoring the importance of accessible testing.
Minister of Health and Social Security Martine Deprez described the pharmacy assessment process as "quick and easy." The test starts with a questionnaire. Based on the responses, participants may be offered a simple blood test. If they agree, their blood sugar levels are measured, and pharmacists may advise further evaluation by a general practitioner if results indicate potential concerns.
Participants interested in the blood test are advised to avoid eating for at least two hours beforehand, as recent food intake can affect blood sugar levels.
Currently, over 37,000 people in Luxembourg are living with diabetes, and approximately 900 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Type 1 versus Type 2
Jessica Durbach of the ALD outlined the key differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body stops producing insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar. This form of diabetes typically appears in childhood or adolescence. Individuals with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy, and symptoms tend to be more pronounced. If left untreated, type 1 diabetes can be life-threatening.
In contrast, type 2 diabetes generally develops later in life and is linked to either reduced insulin production or the body's cells becoming resistant to insulin. Multiple factors can contribute to type 2 diabetes, including age, lifestyle, and genetics.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Health recommends a healthy diet and regular exercise as both preventive measures and ways to manage high blood sugar levels. Additionally, the ministry is exploring the possibility of allowing GPs to prescribe exercise as a form of treatment.
The full list of participating pharmacies has not been released yet, but will eventually be made available on the website of the National Health Directorate.
