Faroe Islands launches mass screening for type 2 diabetes in over-40s

The Faroese health authorities will screen all residents over 40 for type 2 diabetes in a year-long campaign to identify undiagnosed cases, national broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya reports.

Invitations are now being sent to all 27,225 Faroese residents aged 40 and above via the national digital mailbox system Mín Boks. The initiative, led by the Steno Diabetes Center and the Health Research Unit at the National Hospital, aims to reach 18,000–20,000 participants.

“This is an ambitious plan,” said Dr Bára Randrup Joensen, a physician and PhD researcher overseeing the project. “We have one year to complete the screenings, and we’re targeting that many in this age group.”

Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually with subtle symptoms, Joensen noted, and is frequently accompanied by complications. “We know that 35 percent already have one or more diabetes-related conditions by the time they’re diagnosed,” she said.

The project is funded by the Sick Pay Fund, Steno Research, the Diabetes Association, and the Sólrun and Poul Michelsen family. Partners include the University of the Faroe Islands and the Faroese Diabetes Association.

Joensen emphasised that the screening does not imply higher diabetes rates in the Faroes compared to other regions, but is a proactive measure to detect cases early and prevent complications.