Diabetes: why is it the sole focus of this issue?

Obesity aside, diabetes is the most common endocrine metabolic condition in the general community. It continues to maim and prematurely kill many of our patients. However, best evidence informs us that much can be done to help prevent, or at least delay, type 2 diabetes, and for all types of diabetes, once diagnosed, onset and progression of related complications can often be prevented. Our patients with diabetes are, overall, living longer than ever, and some evidence suggests quality of life is also being maintained. So given current knowledge in the field, much can be achieved in health outcomes for people with diabetes. The communication of this information in a practical, clinician-friendly format is more important than ever. For these combined reasons, diabetes is the sole focus of this special May issue of Endocrinology Today.