International Diabetes Epidemiology Group
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 to three 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 April 2025, IDEG will hold its 18th Symposium in Bangkok, 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 Lorraine Lipscombe.
About Us
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 years.
We welcome all!
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
2022
Lisbon, Portugal
Chair of the local organizing committee:
President: Ed Gregg, Ireland
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