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World Decision-Makers Confront Diabetes Pandemic at Novo Nordisk Global Changing Diabetes Leadership Forum

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 March 2007, 18:00 CDT

NEW YORK, March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Former President Bill Clinton joined global diabetes leaders today in New York City to discuss ways to break the curve of the diabetes pandemic at a forum hosted by Novo Nordisk and supported by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

At the first meeting of policymakers, patient organizations, healthcare professionals, and media since the United Nations passed a resolution to address diabetes in December 2006, the discussion explored ways to make diabetes a global health priority and ultimately, improve the way the disease is treated.

Today, 20.8 million Americans -- or seven percent of the population -- have diabetes, at least 10 million of whom are not in control of the condition. It is estimated that one in three American children born in 2000 and beyond will develop type 2 diabetes. Worldwide, an estimated 246 million people have diabetes, a number that is expected to grow to 380 million within the next 20 years if no urgent action is taken. Diabetes accounts for 3.8 million deaths per year globally, similar in magnitude to HIV/AIDS.

The Global Changing Diabetes Leadership Forum hopes to redefine healthcare around the needs of people with diabetes.

"Recognizing that there is not a single answer to the diabetes pandemic, Novo Nordisk hopes to provide a forum for identifying multiple actions at all stages to combat diabetes -- from prevention to the treatment of serious complications," said Lars Rebien Sorensen, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk. "Only by placing the person with diabetes at the center of care and changing how healthcare systems around the world approach the disease can this silent killer be defeated."

Martin Silink, president of the IDF, emphasized that "the reality is that there will not be an automatic increase in funds for diabetes for either prevention or treatment in the short term. In developing countries, which bear 70% of the global burden of diabetes, the solutions will involve increasing access to proven but low-cost therapies."

During the two day Forum, attendees from around the world will participate in a series of workshops and dialogues designed to evoke a provocative debate about how to chart a course for changing diabetes management globally.

Editors Note: High resolution images are available for free editorial use at http://www.newscastonline.com/media.

For further details on the event: novonordisk.com/changingdiabetes For further details on the UN Resolution: unitefordiabetes.org

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 80-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 23,600 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit novonordisk-us.com.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020404/NVOLOGOPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Novo Nordisk

CONTACT: Media: Lori Moore, +1-609-919-7791; Investors: Christian QvistFrandsen, +1-609-919-7937, both Novo Nordisk

Web site: http://www.novonordisk.com/http://www.novonordisk-us.com/http://www.novonordisk.com/changingdiabeteshttp://www.unitefordiabetes.org/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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