Day: November 11, 2022

P&G Health and medical experts share clinical guidance in the diagnosis and treatment of nerve damage among diabetic patients

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of World Diabetes Day 2022, P&G Health, brought together globally renowned multidisciplinary medical experts with Healthcare Professionals from across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, at the ‘Winning the Fight Against Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients’ forum to share the latest clinical guidance on diagnosing and treating diabetic nerve damage. Hosted out of Manila and simulcast to more than 10 countries and 3400 participants, the signature event saw the roll out of clinical guidance on simple diagnostic procedure for peripheral neuropathy and sharing of clinical experiences by medical experts.

With Diabetes Mellitus being the leading cause^[1] of peripheral neuropathy (PN), the increasing prevalence of PN is closely linked to the rise in the number of diabetic patients. PN including Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is the result of damage to the nerves impacting quality of life of people as they are not able to go about their daily lives as comfortably. Burning and stabbing pain in the feet and hands can have a significant impact on the activities of daily living, including walking, climbing stairs, and sleeping. Peripheral neuropathy is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness amongst both patients and physicians^[2]. Besides diabetes mellitus, B vitamins deficiencies and aging are other high-risk factors leading to peripheral nerve damage.

Dr Ashley Barlow, Senior Director, Medical & Technical Affairs, P&G Health (Asia Pacific, India, Middle East, and Africa) shared, “As a partner to International Diabetes Federation (IDF), P&G Health is committed to continued efforts to raise awareness on Diabetes and its associated complications including Peripheral Neuropathy and Nerve Damage. The ‘Winning the Fight Against Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients’ forum is the first of several scientific forums being rolled out by P&G Health as part of our World Diabetes Day awareness efforts across Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region, to highlight the connection between Peripheral Neuropathy and Diabetes and the importance of early identification and timely treatment.”

Speaking at the forum, Dr. Rayaz A. Malik (Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, Consultant Physician at Central Manchester University Teaching Hospital) shared, “Peripheral neuropathy is highly underdiagnosed in South-East Asia and the Middle East due to a lack of consensus guidance on routine screening and diagnostic pathways. This has a major impact on the quality of life as a result of painful neuropathic symptoms, foot ulceration and amputation with an associated 5-year mortality of 40% and 80%, respectively.  An awareness and sense of urgency amongst patients and healthcare providers is required, and primary care physicians need simple tools and guidance to help them diagnose peripheral neuropathy.”

The P&G Health ‘Winning the Fight Against Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients’ forum brought to light enriching insights, data and clinical practice guidelines from health experts from across the globe and the region on the important role of neuropathy diagnoses, treatment and management, in improving the quality of life of diabetic patients,” added Dr. Ashley Barlow.

“While identifying a patient with early onset PN may sound challenging, it is not and doesn’t require complex diagnostic tools to diagnose peripheral neuropathy. Simple tools like a questionnaire and a sensory test can be a good start. By asking the right questions and listening to the patient, we can help patients avoid severe complications and improve their quality of life. The primary care physician has a key role to play in this,” added Dr. Rayaz A Malik.

For more information on the ‘Winning the Fight Against Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients’ forum, click here to register and learn from the webinar as healthcare professional: WDDglobalwebinar

FAST FACTS

•  In 2021, there were 393 million diabetic patients in the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and African regions projected to rise to 603 million by 2045^[3].
•  1 in 2 patients with diabetes and suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy^[4] during their lifetime. With the increasing prevalence of diabetes there will be an exponential growth in the number of patients in these regions with PN.
•  There are also at least as many people with pre-diabetes as there are with diabetes and at least 10% suffer from PN^[5].
•  A study from the Philippines in 2000 from the Diabcare-Asia project, which assessed 2,708 patients in diabetes centres, reported a prevalence of 42% for diabetic neuropathy, based on medical records^[6].
•  < 1/3rd of physicians recognize signs of DPN. Undiagnosed cases contributing greatly to the high rates of morbidity and mortality of diabetes^[3]. Up to 50 % of patients are asymptomatic and therefore often remain undiagnosed and are at risk of insensate injury^[7].
•  If not diagnosed and treated early, DPN can manifest with neuropathic pain with a tremendous impact on the quality of life.

About P&G Health: P&G Health, the health care division of P&G company, drives consumer-centric innovation to empower our consumers to live healthier, and more vibrant lives. The P&G Health portfolio includes leading brands in Respiratory with Vicks® and Nasivin®, Pregnancy with Femibion® and Clearblue®, Oral Care with Crest® and Oral-B®, Vitamins and Minerals Supplementation with Bion3®, Seven Seas®, Evion® and Sangobion®, Digestive wellness with Metamucil®, Prilosec OTC®, Pepto Bismol® and Align®, Nerve Care with Neurobion® and Pain Relief with Dolo-Neurobion®.

About Procter & Gamble: P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide.

References:

1. Landmann G. Ars Medici. 2013;1: 18-21
2. Malik, Rayaz et. al. Journal of Diabetes Investigation. 11. 10.1111/jdi.13269.
3. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas. 10th edition; 2021.
4. Kumar S, et al. Laser Therapy 2016;25: 141–144
5. Kirthi V et. al. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2021 May;9(1):e002040
6. Lantion-Ang LC. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2000; 50 (Suppl 2): S29–S34.
7. Miranda-Massari JR, et al. Curr Clin Pharmacol. 2011;6: 260–273.

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Philanthropic commitment seeks to support a clean energy future for people and countries on the frontlines of climate change

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, Nov. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — A coalition of leading climate philanthropies today announced an investment of $500 million over the next three years to accelerate a just and equitable energy transition in low and middle income countries, while boosting sustainable development and creating new economic opportunities.

This catalytic philanthropic support will assist efforts by governments alongside civil society organizations and others that give momentum to new and emerging energy transition plans in the Global South. This partnership will build on existing and future multi-donor efforts that are ratcheting ambition and supporting government, community-level and corporate actions to mitigate climate change.

“This is a crucial time for philanthropy to scale its support to southern partners working to lead during remarkably challenging times,” said Izabella Teixeira, former Minister for the Environment of Brazil, Co-Chair of the International Resources Panel – UNEP and UN-DESA Board member. “The world needs southern leadership to prove that development priorities and climate priorities go hand in hand and build precedents for a truly just and equitable clean energy transition.”

“This mobilization of pooled funds to support climate action goes a long way to fill the gap of climate philanthropy funding in the south,” said Saliem Fakir, CEO of the African Climate Foundation, an African-led strategic grant-maker and think-tank working at the nexus of climate change and development. “It will strengthen southern leadership and localization of solutions especially in Africa where the gap of funding is the biggest.”

The partnership will support work that includes technical assistance and building the capacity needed to scale up renewable energy while transitioning away from fossil fuels, including through multi-donor initiatives. The aim of the investments is to support implementation in countries that have already made ambitious plans and to encourage more countries to develop high-ambition plans that will serve as the blueprints for the next decade.

“This funding is intended to support countries to implement their ambitious, just and equitable clean energy agendas,” said Christie Ulman, President of Sequoia Climate Foundation. “Philanthropy can and will play a key role in catalyzing a step change in support for energy and economic transitions. We recognize that the international community continues to fall unacceptably short of its promises for financial support to tackle climate change and its impacts. While this investment cannot and is not intended to make up for it, we are working to support countries in addressing their challenges and commitment to a clean energy transition. This commitment should be seen as a floor, not a ceiling, for what philanthropy can do to support a just and equitable future.”

The philanthropies involved recognize the bold leadership by many low and middle income countries in setting ambitious goals even in the face of profound climate impacts. Importantly, the commitment is not a replacement for the billions already committed to developing countries, but not yet delivered, by developed countries who have the responsibility, the ability and the funds to move much faster and scale action globally. Another key priority for philanthropies is to scale civil society efforts as they continue to be driving forces for a just transition.

“For any country’s energy transition effort to be just, legitimate, and ultimately effective, it will require sustained engagement and participation from affected communities and civil society actors on the ground,” said Jamie Choi, CEO of Tara Climate Foundation, a regional philanthropic foundation aiming to accelerate Asia’s energy transformation. “Resourcing national and subnational civil society partners to play a proactive role in spurring their country’s clean energy transition will ensure that solutions stick.”

The announcement contributes momentum towards other philanthropic efforts to support the Global South in a critical moment as countries face compounding food, energy, and cost of living crises in addition to the ongoing impacts of the climate crisis.

The following philanthropic organizations are part of today’s announcement:

• Ballmer Group
• Bloomberg Philanthropies
• Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
• Good Energies by Porticus
• Growald Climate Fund
• High Tide Foundation
• Oak Foundation
• Sequoia Climate Foundation
• Three Cairns Group

About Sequoia Climate Foundation
The Sequoia Climate Foundation is a philanthropic organization on a mission to avert the worst impacts of climate change. A 501(c)(3) based in California, we support ambitious, evidence-based strategies aimed at accelerating the clean energy transition.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 941 cities and 173 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.66 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts
Sequoia Climate Foundation
Copperfield Advisory sequoia@copperfield.nyc

Bloomberg Philanthropies
Daphne Wang daphne@bloomberg.org