Table of Contents
Introduction
Diabetes is a disease that continues to be a global burden. Diabetes leads to a complex disorder that affects the body’s metabolism leading to undesirable health and financial consequences. Previously, diabetes prevalence was in wealthy nations. However, International Diabetes Federation (2015) noted that prevalence has shifted to low and middle-income countries and is rising dramatically.
Previous Research on Diabetes
There are two categories of diabetes namely diabetes I and 2. However, the prevalence of diabetes 2 has increased significantly leading to great public health concerns. Fortunately, various trials have revealed that it is possible to prevent or delay diabetes and its complications. According to World Health Organization (2011), available research has shown that improving metabolism control, prevents, and delays complications in diabetes 1 and 2.
Another study by Ley et al., (2016) has shown that there exist a high potential for preventing diabetes 2 using a healthy diet and proper lifestyle. Beverly et al., (2017) also noted that management of diabetes is extensively possible through self-care procedures, which includes taking regular exercise, proper diet planning, monitoring blood glucose, following medication, and taking regular medical visits to control and prevent the complications. Other than self-management research by Martínez et al., (2016) have shown that intensifying treatment might be more crucial in glycemic control. However, further research on the interaction between self-management and treatment intensification is necessary.
Goals of This Agenda
The agenda aims at calling attention to diabetes prevalence and offer guidance on matching proposed interventions to diabetes management and prevention. It also aims at guiding research, health program implementers and partners, learning institutions, policy makers and all stakeholders involved in health research.
Objectives
- To point out crucial health research areas on diabetes that requires prioritization
- To identify critical research gaps on diabetes
- To bridge the gaps in research and help in translating research findings into policy and practice
Research Priorities
During my academic and professional career, I will focus on the prevalence of diabetes and strategies for preventing or delaying diabetes complications and their interactions. I will also concentrate on proposed interventions and provide guidance on how to match these interventions. The topics and the areas to prioritize on are highlighted below;
Identifying causes of diabetes and finding out the magnitude of the disease
Several factors lead to the occurrence of diabetes 2 such as lifestyle factors and genic factors. The exact causes of diabetes 1 are not known. However, scientists think the disease is caused by environmental factors and genetic factors (National Institute of Health, 2016). The study will focus on identifying the causes of diabetes 1. The research priority will also include finding out the prevalence of the two types of diabetes. It will also involve assessing the complications and risk factors.
Analyzing the Diabetes Issues and Developing Solutions
The research priority in this topic will include investigation on how to identify barriers of translating evidence-based knowledge on diabetes into management practices. The study will also focus on how to overcome these obstacles. This topic will also concentrate on developing models for optimally delivering diabetes education and clinical management in both low and middle-income countries. Finally, the theme will focus on developing cost friendly technologies to monitor glucose and insulin.
We can do it today.
Application of Diabetes Solutions and Evaluating Their Impacts
The topic will prioritize on investigating how to implement and evaluate community-based critical prevention models. This will put more attention on changing diet, and physical exercises patterns and if possible, it will target high-risk persons in the community.
- Beverly, E. A., Ivanov, N. N., Court, A. B., & Fredricks, T. R. (2017). Is diabetes distress on your radar screen? Journal of Family Practice, 66(1), 9-14
- International Diabetes Federation (2015). Diabetes in low-middle and high-income countries. Web. 11th February 2017. Retrieved from http://www.idf.org/diabetesatlas/5e/diabetes-in-low-middle-and-high-income-countries
- Ley, S. H., Ardisson Korat, A. V., Qi, S., Tobias, D. K., Cuilin, Z., Lu, Q., & … Hu, F. B. (2016). Contribution of the Nurses’ Health Studies to Uncovering Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes: Diet, Lifestyle, Biomarkers, and Genetics. American Journal Of Public Health, 106(9), 1624-1630. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2016.303314
- Martínez, Y. V., Campbell, S. M., Hann, M., & Bower, P. (2016). The individual contribution and relative importance of self-management and quality of care on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Salud Pública De México, 58(4), 404-411. doi:10.21149/spm.v58i4.8020
- National Institute Of Health (2016). Symptoms and Causes of Diabetes. Web. 11th February 2017. Retrieved From https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes
- World Health Organization (2011). A prioritized research agenda for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Web. 11th February 20177. Retrieved from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44569/1/9789241564205_eng.pdf