Sardinia is once again in the spotlight for diabetes incidence. The island, along with Finland, holds the world record for pediatric type 1 diabetes. According to the latest data presented last October at the 18th Italian Barometer Diabetes Summit and published by the IBDO Foundation in collaboration with Istat and Coresearch, over 102,000 people in the region live with the disease.
Also of concern is the hospitalization rate for uncontrolled diabetes, which in Sardinia reaches 12.99%, almost double the national average of 7.33% (ISTAT 2020 data). Critical issues also emerge regarding access to innovative technologies and medications, for which Sardinian patients wait 6-7 months, compared to 2-3 months in the rest of Italy.
The figures for young people are alarming: reports from Regional Legislative Proposals Nos. 126 and 138, dedicated to the inclusion of children with type 1 diabetes in school and sports, show that approximately 130 new diagnoses are recorded each year among Sardinian children. Currently, 1,400 minors between 0 and 18 are in the care of healthcare services. The incidence thus reaches 74 cases per 100,000 children, well above the national average of 15 to 20 cases per year.
These data were the focus of the presentation of the first pilot project of participatory healthcare in Sardinia, organised today in Cagliari .
The initiative is promoted by the Graduate School of Economics and Management of Healthcare Systems (ALTEMS) of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, through the Patient Advocacy Lab (PAL), which is holding a series of meetings in the Regions to strengthen the dialogue between patient associations and public administrations.
"Participatory healthcare is a way to address problems sustainably, thanks to the collaboration of patient associations," said Teresa Petrangolini, director of the Patient Advocacy Lab at Altems.
In Lazio, Veneto, Campania, and Tuscany, where the model is already active, approximately 400 associations are involved in developing the PDTAs, planning services, and simplifying procedures. Now it's Sardinia's turn, starting with diabetes.
During the meeting, the associations present—including Cittadinanzattiva, Fand, Diabete Zero, Asnet, Diabete Italia, and Rete Sarda Diabete—explained the main needs of patients, emphasizing the importance of leveraging their direct experience in defining treatment pathways.
(Unioneonline/Fr.Me.)
