Event Introduction
Rapidly increasing waistlines are a major challenge to clinicians and governments across much of the world. Australia has seen a 250 per cent increase in the incidence of obesity since 1980 with the Asia Pacific countries also now seeing a rapid increase. The consequences are seen by clinicians across many fields in the form of diabetes, cardiovascular, renal, oncology and psychiatric complications.
This conference is themed "Meeting the cardio-metabolic challenges of the 21st century". It brings together the range of healthcare professionals managing patients with these complications to share the latest developments and discuss best practice. Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute is a national centre for research and clinical management of these cardio-metabolic diseases.
The Institute's Specialist Diabetes Clinic is the largest dedicated facility of its kind in the country. The clinic has developed a model of care that tackles diabetes on a range of fronts, from preventative programs and expert education through to advanced clinical treatments.
Experts from the institute along with those from other centres of excellence across Australia and the Asia Pacific region, will discuss how the major clinical challenges for cardio-metabolic disease states can best be addressed.
Open forums will provide the opportunity for attendees to question and debate topics to maximise learning and provide clarity in management of complex medical challenges.
We look forward to your contribution to this exciting event.
Professor Jonathan Shaw
Chair, APCMS Organising Committee
Associate Director, Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute Australia
Percentage growth in age-standardised diabetes prevalence, 1980–2008
The Lancet Volume 378, Issue 9785, 2 July 2011-8 July 2011, pages 3-4.