by Prateek Chopra | June 11, 2026 | Diabetes Conferences | ADA 2026 | 0 comments

Current Landscape: According to the IDF Survey 2022, approximately 1 in 4 people with diabetes do not
receive the diabetes education they need at diagnosis. Significant gaps persist in diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), limiting the delivery of person-centered diabetes care.

Key Findings from the IDF Survey 2022:

  • 26% of people with diabetes reported receiving insu cient information at diagnosis.
  • 20% did not receive regular diabetes education.
  • 36% lacked access to specialist support, including diabetes educators, nurses, or dietitians.
  • People with diabetes spent an average of only 3 hours per year in consultation with healthcare professionals.
  • 20% of healthcare professionals reported di culty diagnosing depression as a diabetes-related complication.

Barriers to Effective DSMES:

  • Under-prioritization of diabetes education and support.
  • Limited healthcare workforce capacity.
  • Inconsistent policy and funding support.
  • Restricted access to DSMES programs.
  • Greater emphasis on clinical metrics than patient experience.
  • Challenges related to digital equity.

Professional Education Gaps:

  • 35% of doctors and nurses reported self-funding their diabetes education due to insu cient institutional investment.
  • Only 49% of healthcare professionals recognized depression as a complication of living with diabetes.

IDF School of Diabetes Initiatives:

  • New educational courses include Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Type 2 Diabetes Oral Agents Fact-Checking.
  • In 2024, the program enrolled 17,792 new learners.
  • More than 102,112 healthcare professionals have registered across 210 countries and territories.

Expanding Diabetes Education and Awareness:

  • The Understanding Diabetes Platform currently offers seven educational courses covering key areas of diabetes management.
  • The KiDS (Kids and Diabetes in Schools) program has:
    • Reached 21 countries.
    • Trained 27,000 teachers.
    • Impacted approximately 687,000 students and families.
  • Across 105 countries, major challenges include limited diabetes education policies, insu ciently trained school personnel, and the need for broader healthy eating initiatives.

Future Priorities:

  • Recognize DSMES as a foundational component of diabetes care.
  • Ensure equitable access regardless of geography or income.
  • Strengthen integration within primary care systems.
  • Promote digital equity and patient-centred program development.
  • Foster global collaboration to create sustainable and accessible DSMES models.

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