Prevention of type 2 diabetes. What can be done from Primary Care? The experience of DE-PLAN-CAT

Type 2 diabetes is a real growing public health problem. Based on clinical trials, it is known that the development of diabetes can be prevented or delayed by intensive lifestyle intervention among the high-risk population. A public health strategy is needed when implementing clinical trials in primary care settings. These strategies have been shown to be effective, and even cost-effective. The challenge is extreme because it requires not only an organizational, but also a political commitment. National plans targeting diabetes prevention should be based on screening the population at risk and developing a reinforced preventive intervention. These were the principles of the DE-PLAN European project developed in Catalonia (DE-PLAN-CAT), which has demonstrated the feasibility, and subsequently the 4-years effectiveness of a real-life primary care strategy to prevent diabetes using existing public healthcare resources. (C) 2012 Sociedad Espanola de Diabetes. Published by Elsevier Espana, S. L. All rights reserved.