World Diabetes Day 2024: Exploring Mechanisms, Innovations, and Holistic Approaches in Diabetes Care

Diabetes continues to pose a significant global health challenge, affecting millions and driving complications such as cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and hepatic dysfunction. This Research Topic aims to harness the momentum of World Diabetes Day 2024 by bringing together leading research on the underlying mechanisms, emerging therapies, and interdisciplinary approaches to managing and preventing diabetes and its complications.

This collection will focus on integrating molecular, clinical, and psychosocial perspectives to explore innovative strategies and actionable insights for advancing diabetes care. By addressing both established and evolving research areas, the aim is to foster collaborations and translate findings into improved outcomes for patients across diverse populations.

Key Areas of Focus:

1. Pathophysiological Insights into Diabetes and Its Complications

• Mechanistic studies on diabetes-related complications, such as glycogenic hepatopathy, cardiovascular dysfunction, and accelerated atherosclerosis.
• Investigations into β-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, and the immune and inflammatory pathways contributing to diabetes progression.
• Exploring the role of the hepatic and cardiovascular systems in the systemic effects of diabetes.

2. Innovative Therapies and Technologies

• Advances in pharmacological interventions, including the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and novel pathways targeting insulin secretion and resistance.
• Emerging diabetes technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pumps, and the potential of adjunct therapies.
• Exploration of strategies addressing comorbid conditions like osteoporosis, depression, and cardiovascular disease in diabetes care.

3. Diabetes and Psychosocial Dynamics

• Intersections between psychological stress, social determinants of health, and glycemic control in diverse populations.
• Gender differences in diabetes complications and the psychosocial factors influencing disease management and outcomes.

4. Holistic and Personalized Approaches

• Evaluation of personalized medicine approaches, including biomarkers and genetic insights to optimize therapy.
• Integrating systemic perspectives on diabetes care, from the cardiovascular system to the skeletal and hepatic implications.
• Public health strategies for improving equity and access in diabetes prevention and treatment, with a focus on underserved populations.

5. Translational Research and Emerging Directions

• Bridging laboratory findings with clinical application to improve outcomes in diabetes care.
• Exploring multi-system interactions in diabetes pathogenesis, including liver, bone, and cardiovascular health.
• The role of advanced imaging, molecular profiling, and novel interventions in shaping future directions in diabetes research.

This Research Topic invites contributions from a broad spectrum of research disciplines, fostering innovation and collaboration in addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges. Through these efforts, we aim to inspire meaningful progress in understanding, preventing, and managing diabetes and its complications.

Topic Editor Å.S. has received lecture and consultancy fees from Boehringer-Ingelheim, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Amarin, MSD, Amgen, Lilly, Bayer, Astrazeneca, Sanofi, Abbott Diabetes Care, Grünenthal Nordic, and Pfizer. Topic Editor Ajay D. Rao serves on the advisory board of Inc Consulting - Spruce Biosciences

Keywords: Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Management, Diabetes Treatment, Complications, Pathogenesis, Molecular Mechanisms, Personalized Medicine, Diabetes Technology, Public Health Strategies, Interdisciplinary Research

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.