On 4 September 2025, clinicians from Steno Diabetes Centers across Denmark met at Medicon Valley Alliance to learn about and discuss the DiaUnion program for early detection of T1D, celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disease.
It was a unique opportunity to share insights across the Danish-Swedish border, reflect on progress, and explore how to expand implementation of early detection programs and ensure long-term impact.
A big thank you to all speakers and participants! A symposium like this is key to strengthening our cross-border collaboration – and advancing early detection for T1D and other autoimmune diseases.
Flemming Pociot and Julie Christine Antvorskov presented DiaUnion’s methods and results over the past five years – putting them into perspective with urgent facts:
- 180,000 people live with T1D across the Nordics and the incidence of T1D and other autoimmune diseases is rising in Western countries.
- Despite treatment advances, 70% of people with T1D do not reach recommended treatment targets, which increases the risk of complications and early mortality.
- In Sweden, the economic burden of T1D exceeds SEK 12 billion/year.
Jessica Melin further shared findings from DiaUnion 1.5, exploring how parents reacted when their child tested positive for T1D, celiac disease or autoimmune thyroid disease. To highlight is that over 70% of parents were highly satisfied that their child participated in the screening. Secondly, the key to increasing parental understanding and reducing anxiety is follow-up, education, and support.
Louise Norman Jespersen and Pernille Bech Flarup then introduced their interview study: RISC – Recognizing the Psychosocial Impact of Screening for T1D, which aims to uncover family experiences and guide future program design. The data-analysis has just started!
Jesper Johannesen, Maria Scherman and Daniel Agardh concluded the lively symposium by presenting findings related to Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and Celiac Disease – based on both DiaUnion and other cohorts.
