DAWN
There are many psychological problems associated with diabetes. Yet healthcare professionals acknowledge that they lack the resources to deal with them appropriately and point to a major gap in terms of patient-centred communication involving the entire care team.
This was among the findings of the Novo Nordisk DAWN (Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs) study, which led to the global, multi-stakeholder DAWN programme.
Performance 2006
DAWN activities in 2006 included:
3rd International DAWN Summit
More than 900 leading diabetes healthcare professionals and representatives of diabetes organisations and governments from 64 countries gathered at the 3rd International DAWN Summit in April 2006 in Florence, Italy.
Read about the summit proceedings published internationally in Diabetes Voice.
Historic agreement signed in Italy
An historic agreement was signed between Novo Nordisk and the Italian Ministry of Health on an official collaboration on the DAWN programme in Italy. The aim of the Italian DAWN programme is to establish a broad social understanding of the challenges involved in improving diabetes care. The information will be gathered via interviews with at least 500 people with diabetes, 150 doctors and 100 medical specialists. Another element in the agreement is the education of patient association members.
As the first of its kind, the agreement on the DAWN programme represents a milestone partnership between the Ministry of Health in Italy and a pharmaceutical company.
The agreement was presented during the round-table ‘Public/Private Partnership in the Health Area: investments and rules’ at the FORUM of the Italian Public Administration, which was attended by representatives of the Italian regions, the pharmaceutical industry and the Ministry of Health.
A new global initiative to support young people with diabetes
In 2006 Novo Nordisk announced a new global initiative, DAWN Youth, in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD). The aim is to facilitate national efforts to improve the quality of life and health of young people with diabetes and their families worldwide. During the Year of the Child (2007), national and international activities will seek to illuminate new avenues for supporting young people with diabetes and their families through national and regional partnerships. DAWN Youth is another demonstration of Novo Nordisk’s commitment to changing the course of diabetes by addressing the person behind the disease.
In an effort to discover what it will take to build strong support systems for young people with diabetes, one of the main activities in DAWN Youth is a survey to be conducted in 2007. This will examine the diabetes attitudes, wishes and needs of young people as well as their families, healthcare professionals, peer groups and others close to young people.
DAWN Youth Camp in Germany
Together with partners, Novo Nordisk in Germany hosted the first DAWN Youth Camp for 650 young people between the age of 16 and 25. Prominent diabetes experts gave lectures geared towards this age group, and others, such as well-known sports celebrities, spoke of their own experiences of living with diabetes. A support team of 95 nurses, including diabetes experts, a psychologist, nutritional advisors and doctors, was at the disposal of the participants 24 hours a day. A scientific post-evaluation of the camp based on the results of 400 questionnaires filled in by the young people will be conducted, and an analysis of the findings will be published in a recognised peer-reviewed journal.
Novo Nordisk approach
The global DAWN programme, conducted in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), is an ongoing advocacy and action programme driven by Novo Nordisk to promote people-centred diabetes care and overcome the psychosocial barriers to effective self-management.
The DAWN programme provides an international framework for advocacy, guidelines, practical tools and best practice across the world. This includes national 'train-the-trainer' programmes for primary care physicians on the psychological aspect of care, and quality-of-life questionnaires for people with diabetes that several countries now incorporate in routine health evaluations. In addition, three international summits have been held to increase awareness and encourage debate and action on the issue. DAWN-related activities are an integral part of the Novo Nordisk National Changing Diabetes Programme and are being carried out by Novo Nordisk and partners in more than 30 countries.
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