Washington, D.C., November 13, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a technical meeting on the Diabfrail LatAm program, bringing together experts from the Region of the Americas and Europe to address the challenges presented by diabetes in the older population and promote healthy aging. Diabetes is one of the main chronic diseases that affects the older population. With a projected increase in cases in people over 70 years of age, it is essential to implement interventions that improve their quality of life and functionality.
Diabfrail LatAm is a pioneering project, funded by the European Union (Horizon 2020 research and innovation program; grant agreement No. 825546). It began as a clinical trial in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, based on the implementation of two interventions: an education program and a physical exercise program designed to improve the functionality of older people with diabetes, intervening in the mechanisms underlying frailty. Following the positive results, the program, with the support of PAHO's Healthy Aging team, has expanded to nine countries in the Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela.
During the two-day meeting, key topics such as healthy aging and the management of diabetes in the older population were addressed. Panels were held focused on improving healthy longevity in a context of high prevalence of chronic diseases, the need to strengthen health systems to ensure healthy aging, and the best strategies for managing diabetes in older people.
One of the main findings was the need for an integrated, person-centered approach to care. In this regard, the importance of local and territorial interventions to ensure better care for older people with diabetes and other chronic diseases was highlighted. PAHO, as a regional leader in the implementation of the United Nations Decade for Healthy Aging (2021-2030), underscored the relevance of inclusive and equitable primary health care.
Dr. James Fitzgerald, Director of the Department of Health Systems and Services at PAHO/WHO, welcomed the participation of representatives from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, who, together with PAHO, are part of the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, which seeks to strengthen the response of health systems to the health needs of individuals and communities using the Primary Health Care approach. In this context, he also highlighted the launch of PAHO's strategy "Better Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)," aimed at improving health care in a scenario of high prevalence of chronic diseases.
The Diabfrail LatAm program, which promotes a paradigm shift in diabetes management in old age, continues to demonstrate positive results. This project contributes to the objective of optimizing the functionality of older persons as a fundamental approach in this population group, allowing healthy aging even in the presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes.
