The Alan Nabarro Medal: The what and the whence

The Alan Nabarro Medal is awarded by the British Diabetic Association to people who have had diabetes for more than 50 years. We have analysed the national distribution of medal winners by Regional Health Authorities/Boards of the UK and the English Health Districts. Up to December 31st 1990, 446 medals had been awarded but sufficient details were available only for the 303 requested between mid‐1987 and the end of 1990. Number of mean annual awards was 82. All Regions/Boards were represented. The Regional mean was 18 (range 8–41) for total medals and 5.7 (2.3–17) for medals per million total population. The estimated mean “expected medal number” per Region should be 134 (64–208) with a total of 2,272 medals awarded. There is therefore a potential shortfall of 1,826; Regional shortfalls varying from 64 to 191 (67%–94%). English District Health Authorities were also analysed −88 (46%) were not represented at all. Clinical details of medal winners from one English District are reported. We present this survey hoping to increase awareness of the Alan Nabarro Medal.