World
Diabetes Day
Globally, an estimated 422 million
adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The
global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7%
to 8.5% in the adult population. This reflects an increase in associated risk
factors, such as being overweight or obese.
Over the past decade, diabetes
prevalence has risen faster in low and middle-income countries than in
high-income countries.
Diabetes is a major cause of
blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.
A Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay
type 2 diabetes.
In addition, diabetes can be treated
and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and
treatment for complications.
In 2007 General Assembly adopted
resolution 61/225, designating 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick
Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922, as World
Diabetes Day. The document recognized “the urgent need to pursue multilateral
efforts to promote and improve human health and provide access to treatment and
health-care education.”
The resolution also encouraged Member
States to develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of
diabetes in line with the sustainable development of their health-care systems.
The theme for World Diabetes Day this
year is access to diabetes education’, underpins the larger multi-year theme of
'access to care’.
