(From left to right, Alfonso López Muñiz, Vice-Rector for Students and Employability of the University of Oviedo; Lourdes García, Councillor for Education, Public Health and Consumer Affairs of Oviedo City Council; Beatriz López, Manager of Health Area IV; María Ballesteros, President of the Congress Programme Committee; Concepción Saavedra, Regional Minister of Health; Edelmiro Menédez, Local President of the Congress; and Ignacio Bernabéu, President of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition.)
Ignacio Bernabéu, President of the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition, opened the 65th Congress of the Society in Oviedo, where he was joined by 1,200 professionals from across Spain. During her address, the Regional Minister of Health, Concepción Saavedra, emphasized the Principality’s leadership in tackling obesity and diabetes management.
Saavedra noted that Asturias, along with Andalusia, has the highest obesity rates among adults in Spain. While improvements have been observed among children in recent years, she stressed the need for ongoing innovative initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles, highlighting the Healthy Asturias Programme as a key example.
Additionally, Saavedra discussed the Principality’s involvement in the European Care4Diabetes program, which encourages self-care for patients with type 2 diabetes. Early results from the initiative are promising: participants have achieved an impressive 48% reduction in blood sugar levels, with some even able to discontinue their medication. Nearly 31% of users have successfully decreased their medication through lifestyle changes, and eight out of ten participants lost weight, averaging a loss of 6 kilograms and a reduction in waist circumference of 8.3 centimeters.
On the technological front, Saavedra mentioned that over 200 patients are currently using automatic insulin infusion systems, and the HUCA is actively engaged in clinical trials for new medications aimed at lowering post-meal blood sugar levels. This research has garnered recognition, culminating in the Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research 2024.