Croatia, 17 - 18 September

The Changing Diabetes® bus made its visit to Croatia and the capital Zagreb during the days of 17-18 September. For two days the bus created much attention, and involved the local community in the fight against diabetes. Croatia inhabits 4,5 million people and an estimated amount of 300,000 people are? is considered to have diabetes. Out of these, approximately 100,000 are not diagnosed.

The bus visit was announced at a press conference on 14 September. Both professor Nikica Car, University Clinic for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Dr. Anita Špehar Uroić, Pediatric Clinics, KBC Zagreb as well as Nataša Ćuk Roland, HSDU - Croatian Patient Diabetes Association and Drago Vuina, General Manager at Novo Nordisk Adria spoke and showed their support for the initiative. A few days after, Changing Diabetes® Bus visitors could get their blood sugar levels measured, have a consultation with an endocrinologist, talk to patient organisations and visit the bus, and engage in the interactive activities to learn more on diabetes.

This lead to a total of 10,000 visits to the bus and village, 600 endocrinologist consultations and 3,026 blood sugar screenings during the two days stop. The blood sugar screenings showed that 552 people had slightly elevated blood sugar levels, 190 people had moderately elevated levels and 64 people had very elevated blood sugar levels calling for immediate attention.

In an effort to change the diabetes development and focus on a healthier lifestyle, elementary school students from the local Zagreb area was invited to participate in ‘Living the Healthy Life’ workshops, teaching students how to make healthier every-day choices regarding both nutrition and exercise. More than 500 elementary school students participated actively in the workshops and the Croatian Changing Diabetes® Bus and Village event was considered to be highly successful.