Reflections on the WHO multinational study of vascular disease in diabetes (WHO MSVDD): an historical contribution from a unique study half a century on

The present ‘‘pandemic of diabetes mellitus’’ [1] calls for worldwide efforts to achieve control, including re-examination of the motives, methods and outcomes as well as the lessons learned in the course of a unique multinational study planned and carried through under the aegis of the Non-Communicable Division (NCD) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and with the assistance of the US National Institutes of Health. As we contemplate organized and systematic measures of prevention and management, some reflections on our experiences of almost half a century ago could be appropriate and useful.