Real-World Impact of Cities Changing Diabetes

Let’s look at a couple of examples of how this approach is making a difference.

Mexico City

Mexico City is a great example. This city has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world, and the government had already started taking steps to address it—like imposing a tax on sugary drinks. But they needed more comprehensive support. That’s where Novo Nordisk came in. They helped set up a specialized diabetes center in Iztapalapa, one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. This center isn’t just about treating diabetes; it’s about preventing it, educating people on how to manage their condition, and providing support so they can lead healthier lives. The center can treat up to 8,000 patients a year, and it’s not just Novo Nordisk doing all the work. They partnered with local healthcare providers, NGOs, and the city government to make this happen. It’s a true example of how this ecosystem approach works—everyone brings something to the table, and together they create a much bigger impact than any one group could achieve alone.

Copenhagen

Another example is Copenhagen. Now, you might not think of Copenhagen as a place with a big diabetes problem, but like many cities, it has its vulnerable populations. Novo Nordisk launched a peer-to-peer program there, aimed at helping men who were at high risk for diabetes but weren’t engaged with the healthcare system. These were men who, for various reasons, had become isolated—maybe they were out of work, or dealing with other health issues, or just didn’t have strong social networks. The program paired them with mentors—people who had been in their shoes but had managed to turn things around. These mentors helped them take control of their health, get involved in their communities, and in some cases, even get back into the workforce. What’s really cool is that this program wasn’t just about preventing diabetes; it was about improving overall well-being and reintegrating these men into society. And it’s been so successful that there are plans to roll it out as part of the city’s broader health promotion strategy.

Shanghai

Let’s take a quick look at another example—Shanghai, one of the world’s most populous cities. In Shanghai, Novo Nordisk worked with local health authorities to map out diabetes risk across the city. They discovered that certain districts had much higher rates of diabetes than others, often linked to factors like income levels and access to healthcare. With this information, they didn’t just launch a generic campaign. They tailored their interventions to meet the specific needs of each district. In some areas, they focused on improving access to primary care. In others, they launched initiatives to promote healthier eating and more physical activity. And they didn’t stop there—they used what they learned in Shanghai to inform their work in other cities, constantly refining and improving their approach.