BIU's Diabetes SPHERE Sweet Success
Within 3 years only, BIU’s Sphere Achieves 40% Reduction in Diabetes Progression
Fresh data released today from Maccabi Healthcare Services reveals a stunning 40% reduction in the progression from prediabetes to diabetes among participants. The massive reduction was achieved through simple yet effective interventions, including lifestyle modifications, weight management, and targeted medical approaches.
"These preliminary results demonstrate that straightforward interventions - adopting a healthy lifestyle, weight reduction, or using metformin - can dramatically reduce the progression to diabetes," explains Professor Naim Shehadeh, Director of the Diabetes Sphere project.
Expanding Impact Across the Galilee
What began as a pilot program with five local authorities has now expanded to serve 23 Jewish and Arab communities across northern Israel, reaching over 660,000 residents. The Russell Berrie Diabetes Sphere project, established three years ago, currently operates more than 60 unique programs across five key areas: prevention, control, treatment, cure, and education.
Innovation in Crisis Response
During the current conflict, the project has demonstrated remarkable adaptability by developing emergency healthcare management systems for frontline communities. The team has created comprehensive support systems, including telephone consultation services for physicians and educational materials in both Hebrew and Arabic. Additionally, they've implemented emergency healthcare management tools that enable local authorities to better serve their communities during challenging times.
Building for the Future
The project's innovative approach has garnered national attention, with Health Minister Uriel Busso recently praising its achievements and pledging increased cooperation to expand the program nationwide. The initiative continues to advance through multiple channels, focusing on research and education. Significant progress has been made through research grants awarded to northern researchers studying diabetes genetics, new treatments, and microbiome research. The project has established specialized training programs for healthcare professionals while developing educational initiatives for community leaders and religious figures. Perhaps most importantly, they've helped create sustainable, budget-linked five-year strategic health plans for local authorities.
"This is the first time we've conducted such an in-depth collaborative process with local authorities in Israel, enabling them to build a solid foundation and make health an integral part of their municipal DNA," says Dr. Sivan Spitzer, Deputy Director of Sphere.
On World Diabetes Day 2024 approaches, the Diabetes Sphere project stands as a testament to the power of community-based health initiatives and the potential for innovative approaches to address critical health challenges in peripheral regions.