The burden of diabetes and options for reform: insights for the Greek health system

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that poses a significant global health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects a substantial increase in diabetes prevalence, with significant implications for mortality, quality of life, and healthcare systems. Effective diabetes management requires a holistic approach that addresses the complex interplay between DM and other chronic conditions, emphasizing prevention, early intervention, and patient-centred care. This necessitates a shift from reactive to proactive care models, prioritizing patient empowerment and improving the efficiency of care delivery. The Greek health system faces several challenges in addressing the rising burden of diabetes. This report explores the burden of DM in Greece and identifies opportunities for health system reform to improve diabetes care and management. The study aims to offer insights for Greece to improve care coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness by outlining key opportunities for reform including the establishment of a national diabetes plan, improved integrated care, increased availability of digital health technologies, more robust data infrastructure, and increased HTA capacity building.