There is a growing body of evidence that supports the idea that improving self-care improves outcomes. This discussion paper looks at the evidence and challenges of self-management to reduce complications.

The burden of diabetes is growing, with 347 million people currently affected worldwide, and that number is projected to increase to 552 million by 2030. Patient safety complications of diabetes range from an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and amputation to blindness and kidney damage: a 60-year-old man newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (without pre-existing cardiovascular disease) can expect to lose 8–10 years of life if his diabetes is poorly controlled.