The National Observatory for Diabetes (Observatório Nacional para a Diabetes in Portuguese) released its 11th Annual Report on 4 November in Lisbon, marking another milestone in the effort to map and understand the evolution of diabetes in Portugal. Shortly after the presentation, endocrinologist Mariana Monteiro — vice-president of the Portuguese Society of Diabetology and general coordinator of UMIB — shared her insights with Medico News, highlighting the main findings in this year’s report.
In the interview, Mariana Monteiro pointed to what she considers the most significant step forward: the consolidation of solid, consistent and transparent indicators that now offer a clearer picture of the disease across the country. “Only by understanding the reality can we plan for the future, anticipate trends and define who and where we need to act,” she noted, stressing the importance of reliable data for shaping effective health policies.
Still, the picture is not uniformly positive. Some indicators, particularly those linked to body mass index are still incomplete, what difficult the full interpretation of the disease’s trajectory.
Despite these gaps, Mariana Monteiro sees encouraging developments. Among them is the decline in diabetes-related hospital admissions, a trend that underscores the impact of better follow-up, improved prevention strategies and sustained investment in public health.
You can read the full interview on the Medico News website