Introduction

Abstract

In response to the theme of 1999 World Diabetes Day, ‘The Cost of Diabetes’ and addressing the problems of an increasing burden and lack of public awareness in Taiwan of the medical cost spent on diabetes, Formosan Diabetes Care Foundation hosted a symposium entitled Workshop on Diabetes Economics and Better Care in Taipei on October 30–31, 1999. The workshop attracted not only attendance of local scholars and experts but also generous participation from distinguished speakers like Prof Rhys Williams from University of Leeds, Prof Juliana Chan from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr Thomas J. Songer from University of Pittsburgh, and Dr Stefan Björk from Novo Nordisk A/S, Copenhagen. Papers presented by these experts covered topics on the current status of diabetes care from a Chinese perspective and health care strategies and economic issues in the Western world. A wide spectrum of other related subjects had also been discussed in the workshop, notably on the prevalence and incidence of diabetes, the present practice of diabetes management, effective screening program, the shared care system currently in active promotion in Taiwan, and the medical cost that incorporated expenses on hemodialysis. Papers collected from the workshop aim at facilitating our understanding and paving the way for further in-depth researches and comparative studies with similar projects in Asia and other regions. The ultimate goal of a workshop like this, however, is to effectively reduce the total cost on diabetes through the implementation of better care.