About IDEG
The International Diabetes Epidemiology Group (IDEG) was founded in 1979 in response to the recognition of the growing impact of the diabetes epidemic. The mission of IDEG is to forge collaboration and exchange ideas and data on the epidemiology of diabetes to better understand and explore its causes and consequences. To this end, the primary activity of the IDEG is a symposium held every two years as a satellite to the World Diabetes Congress (WDC) held by the International Diabetes federation (IDF). This symposium serves as a platform to foster collaboration among researchers and practitioners in diabetes epidemiology worldwide.
In December 2021, IDEG will hold its 17th Symposium in Thailand. A one-day epidemiology training course targeted at trainees and young researchers will also take place prior to the symposium. Details will be provided closer to the meeting date. The current president of the IDEG is Dr Edward Gregg
How IDEG began
Ideas of having a periodic international diabetes epidemiology meeting was first raised by a group of diabetes researchers (including Drs Kelly West, Harry Keen, John Jarrett, Paul Zimmet and Peter Bennett) at the IDF Congress in Dehli, (31st Oct-Nov 5th, 1976). At a subsequent meeting in 1979 in the outskirts of Vienna, ahead of the main IDF Congress, IDEG was formed, with Dr Kelly West elected as the first chairperson, and Dr John Jarrett as the secretary. Since then, IDEG has organized regular meetings on diabetes epidemiology every 2-3 year.
Target Audience
Physicians, epidemiologists, students and researchers with interest in diabetes and diabetes epidemiology. Audience also includes other healthcare professionals/researchers and students in fields related to diabetes.
Past IDEG symposia
The following is a history of the IDEG Symposia, with the local organizer and IDEG president shown in parentheses.
2021
Thailand
Chair of the local organizing committee: TBC
(President: Edward Gregg, UK)
2019
Seoul, South Korea
Chair of the local organizing committee: Dae Jung Kim and Hyeon Chang
(President: Bruce Duncan, Brazil)
2017
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Chair of the local organizing committee: Jaakko Tuomilehto
(President: Dianna Magliano, Australia)
2015
Vancouver, Canada
Chair of local organizing committee: Jeffrey Johnson
(President: Ronald Ching Wa Ma, China)
2013
Melbourne, Australia
Chair of local organizing committee: Jonathan Shaw
(President: Edward Boyko, USA)
2011
Sharjah, UAE
Chair of local organizing committee: Nabil Suliman
(President: Jonathan Shaw, Australia)
2009
Quebec City, Canada
Chair of local organizing committee: Jean-Pierre Depres
(President: Nicholas Wareham, UK)
2006
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Chair of local organizing committee: Naomi (Dinky) Levitt
(President: Maria Inês Schmidt, Brazil)
2003
Tours, France
(President: Beverly Balkau, France)
2000
Acapulco, Mexico
Chair of local organizing committee: Melchor Alpizar
(President: Jaakko Tuomilehto, Finland)
1997
Savonlinna, Finland
(President: Jaakko Tuomilheto, Finland)
1994
Himeji, Japan
(President: Naoko Tajima, Japan)
1991
Williamsburg, Virginia
(President: Peter Bennett, USA)
1988
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Chair of local organizing committee: Gordon Senator
(President: Hilary King, USA)
1985
Madrid, Spain
(Harry Keen and John Jarrett, UK)
1982
Nairobi, Kenya
(Harry Keen and John Jarrett, UK)
1979
Vienna, Austria
Formation of IDEG: Kelly West, John Jarrett, Harry Keen, Maureen Harris, Paul Zimmet, Peter Bennett
Elected Kelly West as Chairman and John Jarrett as Secretary of IDEG