November 14 is World Diabetes Day!

On 14 November, millions of people around the world will unite to mark World Diabetes Day, the global awareness campaign of the diabetes community led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Diabetes is one of the major health and development challenges of the 21st century. It is an incurable, costly, increasing but largely preventable non-communicable disease that affects people of all ages. No country, rich or poor, is immune to the epidemic.

Make a difference and help us spread the word on the urgent need for action to protect our future and improve the health and well-being of future generations.

The facts:

• There are currently 366 million people living with diabetes. This figure is set to rise to over 550 million by 2030.
• Diabetes is responsible for 4.6 million deaths a year – 1 every 7 seconds.
• Diabetes is among the top 10 causes of disability, resulting in life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, lower limb amputations and blindness.
• 50% of people with diabetes are undiagnosed.
• 80% of people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries

Diabetes impacts negatively on many aspects of global development, including economic and environmental sustainability, human development, and other infectious and non-communicable diseases.

You can support the campaign by:

• Encouraging all your contacts to visit the IDF website – www.idf.org – to learn more about diabetes and what can be done to help prevent the further rise of the epidemic.
• Following us on Facebook and Twitter and posting your own awareness messages using our campaign hashtags – #WDD #Diabetes #protectourfuture #BlueCircle #WDDgoblue #14Nov.
• Promoting and sharing our World Diabetes Day awareness materials, available at www.worlddiabetesday.org
• Wearing blue for diabetes to raise awareness and support our cause in your home, school or workplace.