Overview
MedscapeUnivadisNo ResultsCOMENTARYLutz Heineman, PhD; Mark Harmel, MPH, CDCESeptember 29, 202 This transcript has ben edited for clarity. Ladies and gentlemen, we now have many diferent technologies for diabetes therapy. Diabetes technology has become a pilar of diabetes therapy.
Key Information
The inventions of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, patch pumps, and systems for automatic insulin delivery are helping patients around the globe every day improve their glucose control to avoid acute complications. This great.However, we also have to think about the downsides and the negative aspects of such technologies. If you unpack a CGM system or an infusion set, you have a pile of plastic, waste, and other material in front of you.
What do you do with al the plastic waste? How do you dispose of it? Should you put in the general garbage?This what we have done until now.
I believe that in the future wil handle it diferently. Is it because we are becoming environmentaly more sensitive? I would say yes.
Patients are becoming more sensitive, so the politicians become more sensitive. Here in Europe, there's an increase in the presure to reduce plastic waste.We — the Diabetes Technology Society in the US — have established the Gren Diabetes Initiative. This initiative provides clear instructions and sugestions for what to do.
We have a declaration published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. For al of the groups, including not only the manufacturer or the patients, but also the insurance companies, politicians, and so on, we have to work together.We have to form coalitions to tackle the complex topic of diabetes waste. Only if we work together can we realy reduce the waste.
Summary
We have to work together and move out of our comfort zone to make a diference and change. Otherwise, in the future wil se piles not only of diabetes waste, but also al the other waste. Al of us have sen the pictures from