The European Parliament approved a resolution in plenary session which calls on a dedicated strategy to tackle the growing diabetes problem. According to MEPs, the strategy is essential to improve research cooperation and focus on prevention and early diagnosis. In addition, the resolution highlights that many EU countries do not have a national diabetes programme. In most Member States, diabetes accounts for over 10% of healthcare expenditure.

The European Parliament asked in plenary session for an EU strategy to tackle diabetes problem. The strategy should target, according MEPs, diabetes prevention, diagnosis, management, education and research that complements EU countries' efforts. In 2010, the Commission launched a campaign to promote research and prevention of diet-related diseases. In addition to the EU's estimated 32 million diabetes sufferers, there are another 32 million citizens with impaired glucose tolerance, which has a high probability of progressing to clinically manifest diabetes. Moreover, up to 50% of all people with diabetes are currently unaware of their condition, thus, MEPs want EU countries to make early diagnosis a priority in their national programmes.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common and is a preventable disease. The text approved says that the EU and Member States should use environmental, food and consumer policies to tackle known risk factors such as obesity. Also, EU countries should ensure adequate education on healthy eating and physical exercise in schools.

The number of people living with diabetes in Europe is expected to increase by 16.6% by 2030, as a result of the obesity epidemic, and the ageing of the European population and other factors. Furthermore, 325,000 deaths per year are attributed to diabetes in the EU, and in most Member States, diabetes accounts for over 10% of healthcare expenditure.