More than 31 million European Union citizens are affected per year by diabetes, with 70,000 children suffering Type I diabetes, European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering said Wednesday.
He said this in statement in Strasbourg, France after receiving diabetes sufferers and representatives of international bodies dedicated to fighting diabetes.
"Today the European Parliament is marking World Diabetes Day by drawing attention to the particular challenge of diabetes in children and adolescents in the EU."
"We want to contribute to raising awareness about this disease which affects over 31 million EU citizens per year. Of particular concern are the 70,000 children under 14 who develop Type 1 diabetes annually," Poettering noted.
Today is the first World Diabetes Day, which was officially recognized by the United Nations, according to a EP news release.
Poettering welcomed Diabetes Youth Representatives from 16 EU member states to the European Parliament.
"Parliament is hosting young people, experts and other stakeholders in Strasbourg," he said in the statement.
He urged the EU to "assist those dealing with this disease which affects young people in all of our member states."
Source: Xinhua
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