Global Diabetes Compact: Implementation in the Region of the Americas

Abstract

The World Health Organization has created the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC) as a global initiative to improve diabetes prevention and care, and to contribute to the global targets to reduce premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases by one-third by 2030. The vision of the GDC is to reduce the risk of diabetes and ensure that all people diagnosed with diabetes have access to quality care and treatment that is equitable, comprehensive, and affordable. Its overall goal is to support countries in implementing cost-effective programs for the prevention and control of diabetes. This includes reducing diabetes risk factors through multisectoral population-based health policies and strengthening primary health care for timely diabetes diagnosis and treatment, prioritizing vulnerable populations living with diabetes. This brief publication from the Pan American Health Organization examines why the GDC is needed, explores how it will be applied in the Region of the Americas, and provides a list of references to technical materials that are available to support implementation of diabetes interventions in the Region.