International Diabetes Conversation Map™ Education Tools Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

October 22, 2009

MONTREAL, Oct 21, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — IDF World Diabetes Congress Marks Major Milestone and Availability of Tools in 68 Countries, 31 Different Languages

This October marks the one-year anniversary of the international launch of the ground-breaking diabetes Conversation Map™ education tools. Created by Healthy Interactions, a global leader in health education, in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Eli Lilly and Company and other leading diabetes experts, the unique Conversation Map™ education tools have been implemented in 68 countries, excluding the United States, in 31 different languages in the last 365 days. To complete the global launch, redesigned diabetes Conversation Map™ education tools will be unveiled throughout Canada in January 2010, along with a new Map designed for parents and children to learn together. New tools will also be introduced to several Sub-Saharan African countries by early next year.

To celebrate the anniversary, IDF and the Canadian Diabetes Association are hosting a "Celebration of Education" Diabetes Conversations symposium sponsored by Lilly. The symposium will attract diabetes educators from throughout the world, during IDF's 20th World Diabetes Congress on October 20, 2009 in Montreal, Canada.

"Given Lilly's strong heritage in diabetes, we strive to effectively partner with others throughout the world to advocate for better education and greater access to comprehensive diabetes information; to put in place tools to support better self management and provide guidance," said Joachim Becker, International Marketing Director, Diabetes, Eli Lilly and Company. "Through the Conversation Map™ tools experience, our hope is to generate a new educational movement and inspire millions of people living with diabetes to seek success in the power of the diabetes conversation."

The tools, which provide a dynamic learning experience for people living with diabetes, were first introduced in Europe last year, then in Latin America and Asia throughout 2008 and 2009. With more than 16,000 educational kits already distributed since launch, there is an extensive network of leadership and support partners within healthcare and government organizations around the world using and supporting the tools. In addition, more than 100 credentialed healthcare professionals, representing 68 countries and referred to as "Expert Trainers," have been trained not only on how to use the tools, but also on how to train other locally-based diabetes educators to conduct Conversation Map™ education sessions. As a result, these Expert Trainers have spurred an educational movement for thousands of people living with diabetes.

Currently, 285 million people live with diabetes worldwide and the number is projected to increase dramatically within the next 20 years.(1) Unlike other diseases, people with diabetes are responsible for 95 percent of their own care. Yet, many are faced with managing this disease – including making complex daily medical decisions – without proper education regarding their diabetes.(2)

"As part of our Global Education Programme to spread the word about diabetes education and prevention, IDF is working to identify and fill gaps in the provision of diabetes education worldwide," said Helen McGuire, global education manager, International Diabetes Federation. "We are pleased that educational instruments such as the Map tools are available to help prepare people with diabetes to make informed decisions and behavioral changes and, ultimately, better equip them to effectively manage their diabetes."

Designed for groups of three to 10, the Conversation Map™ education tools use the power of small group dialogue and collaborative learning to improve personal health management and enhance interactions between people with diabetes and healthcare professionals. The Conversation Map™ education tools are culturally relevant and customized according to geographic location and specifically target topics identified as most critical for supporting successful diabetes self-management, including:

— Living with Diabetes

— How Diabetes Works

— Healthy Eating and Keeping Active

— Starting Insulin

"Healthy Interactions is committed to working in productive partnerships that combat pressing health challenges such as diabetes," said Andrew Leong-Fern, co-founder of Healthy Interactions. "We've already seen the profound difference the tools have made both in the lives of people with other chronic conditions as well as healthcare professionals, by dramatically improving engagement among people with diabetes. We are excited to watch the diabetes Map tools continue to empower individuals to draw new insights for better disease management."

Beginning in fall 2008, the Map tools have evolved into one of industry's most attractive educational programs, granting people living with and treating diabetes access to this innovative resource to help them overcome the daily challenges of the disease. For more information about the Conversation Map™ education tools, please visit www.diabetes.healthyi.com

About Healthy Interactions, Inc.

A global leader in health education, Healthy Interactions, Inc. is devoted to driving Personal Health Engagement – our term for helping individuals commit to healthier actions. We create powerful educational approaches that inspire valuable insights which change personal health behaviours. We build partnerships with leading medical and disease associations, not-for-profit organizations, corporations, and caring healthcare professionals trained in our approaches, enabling millions of people to take control of their health and live their best lives. Founded in 2003, Healthy Interactions is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

About the International Diabetes Federation

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of over 200 member associations in more than 160 countries, advocating for the more than 285 million people with diabetes, their families, and their healthcare providers. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. The International Diabetes Federation is an NGO in official relations with the World Health Organization and an associated NGO with the United Nations Department of Public Information. The International Diabetes Federation leads the World Diabetes Day and Unite for Diabetes campaigns. Additional information is available at www.idf.org

About Lilly Diabetes

For more than 85 years, Lilly has been a worldwide leader in pioneering industry-leading solutions to support people living with and treating diabetes. Lilly introduced the world's first commercial insulin in 1923, and remains at the forefront of medical and delivery device innovation to manage diabetes. Lilly is also committed to providing solutions beyond therapy — practical tools, education and support programs to help overcome barriers to success along the diabetes journey. At Lilly, the journeys of each person living with or treating diabetes inspire ours.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.

C-LLY

(1) IDF Diabetes Atlas, Fourth Edition 2009.

(2) About World Diabetes Day. http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/en/the-campaign/about-wdd. Last accessed 20 October 2009.

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2009/21/c8926.html