Type 2 diabetes is among the world’s deadliest conditions. Individuals with diabetes have a high risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke (cardiovascular disease). They also have a reduced life expectancy of up to ten years. Many people with the condition remain undiagnosed. When they do present at their doctor, they often show signs of diabetic complications. There is consequently a strong argument for screening for diabetes and treating the condition early. Some countries have introduced national screening programmes for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the costs and benefits of this public health approach are unknown.
Using a number of Danish cohorts and national registry data, I will focus on answering key outstanding questions in the field of screening and early treatment for type 2 diabetes. Does screening for diabetes reduce future risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke? How intensively should we treat people found to have diabetes following screening? How should we treat people we find at high cardiovascular risk but without diabetes following screening?
Answers to these questions can be used to inform health care decision makers about key uncertainties regarding screening programmes for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Project title:
Screening and early treatment for type 2 diabetes
Area of research:
Public health
Fellowship period:
1 Oct 2016 – 30 Mar 2017
Fellowship type:
AIAS-COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow
This fellowship has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 609033 and The Aarhus University Research Foundation.
