GlaxoSmithKline sponsors journalism awards

The awards are part of an integrated educational initiative of the Global Partnership for Effective Diabetes Management - a multi-disciplinary taskforce of internationally respected diabetes experts from leading institutions and diabetes organisations.

The aim of the Control to Goal programme is to address roadblocks to effective diabetes management. Some of the methods employed to achieve this will be to highlight the gaps between international treatment guidelines and current therapeutic practice, to raise awareness of the importance of tight glucose control, and to provide patients and healthcare practitioners with insight, guidance and support materials in reaching treatment goals.

The Control to Goal Journalist Awards are open to journalists worldwide, excluding journalists from the USA, who have published an article on the importance of effective diabetes management in either print or online media. Only one article may be submitted per journalist and separate winner and runner-up awards will be given to both specialist healthcare and consumer media journalists.

There are five Control to Goal topics under which journalists may enter these awards:
1. Controlling blood glucose levels to targets recommended by international treatment guidelines.
2. The importance of treating the underlying pathophysiology (disease process) of type 2 diabetes.
3. The emerging role of combination therapy in achieving glucose targets.
4. Benefits of a multidisciplinary approach.
5. Improving patient understanding of type 2 diabetes.

The first prize for each category will be a sponsorship to attend the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in September, 2005. This will include return economy flights, transfers, four nights in a four star hotel and conference registration.

The runner-up in each category will receive a sponsorship to attend a national diabetes conference of their choice, which will include return economy flights, transfers, four nights in a three star hotel and conference registration. Conference attendance, including registration and travel/accommodation, will be organised through the Control to Goal Journalist Award Secretariat.

Entries will only be considered if they have been published in print or online national or international media between 1 August 2004 and 30 June 2005. Each submission must be accompanied by a completed Award entry form and a copy of the published article. Published articles and completed award entry forms must be received by 30 June 2005.

For entry forms or more information, please contact Suzan Ngubane at 3D Global Strategic Communications: Tel: +27 +11 804 2209, email: .