The Global Epidemic of Diabetes

This is month is American Diabetes Month but also this month is World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day was being held on November 14th, 2017 and is recognized by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Alot of people do not know that this day existed. This day is very important because diabetes is not just an American Diabetes problem but a world wide problem.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) (www.idf.org) is a worldwide alliance of 200 diabetes association’s comprised of 158 countries. For over 50 years IDF has been at the vanguard of global diabetes advocacy. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. IDF is committed to raising global awareness of diabetes by promoting appropriate diabetes care and prevention and encouraging activities towards finding a cure for the different types of diabetes.

It is important to have people to become aware about diabetes and one way to do this is by becoming involved in World Diabetes Day on November 14th, 2017. Women and Diabetes is the World Diabetes Day 2017 theme. The World Diabetes Day 2017 campaign from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) will promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk for or living with diabetes to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information they require to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes and strengthen their capacity to prevent type 2 diabetes.

Currently there is over 199 million women living with diabetes and this total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040. Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths each year. Approximately one in seven births is affected by gestational diabetes (GDM), a severe and neglected threat to maternal and child health. Two out of every five women with diabetes are of reproductive age, accounting for over 60 million women worldwide. Women with diabetes have more difficulty conceiving and may have poor pregnancy outcomes.

Stigmatisation and discrimination faced by people with diabetes are particularly pronounced for girls and women, who carry a double burden of discrimination because of their health status and the inequalities perpetrated in male dominated societies. These inequalities can discourage girls and women from seeking diagnosis and treatment, preventing them from achieving positive health outcomes.

So what can we do to stop this global epidemic of health diabetes disparities with women? There are organizations with IDF that are bringing awareness, education, prevention and treatment worldwide. There is the International Diabetes Federation that I have mentioned that is leading in a campaign with the United Nations.

The campaign is “Our Right to a Healthy Future” https://www.idf.org/our-activities/world-diabetes-day/wdd-2017.html which aims that:

• All women with diabetes require affordable and equitable access to care and education to better manage their diabetes and improve their health outcomes.

• Pregnant women require improved access to screening, care and education to achieve positive health outcomes for mother and child.

• Women and girls are key agents in the adoption of healthy lifestyles to improve the health and wellbeing of future generations.

The best way to get the word out about World Diabetes Day is by getting involved. Your participation is key to the success of the campaign. Here are some ideas from the International Diabetes Federation on how you can get involved:

Promote the blue circle as the global symbol of diabetes

• Wear blue for diabetes

• Wear the blue circle pin

• Form a human blue circle

• Promote the blue circle selfie app

• Pin a high-profile individual in your community

Advocate

• Advocate at regional, national and international level to make diabetes a priority on health and development agendas

• Call on decision-makers in your region to promote early detection and help prevent type 2 diabetes and diabetes complications

• Share with decision-makers results of successful diabetes interventions

Organize an activity

• Organize an activity around the 2017 theme ‘Women and Diabetes’ and raise awareness of how important access to care and education is to better manage diabetes

• Organize a diabetes fair offering screenings and information on how to prevent type 2 diabetes and diabetes complications

• Organize activities for women promoting healthy living for women and their families to prevent diabetes

• Organize activities around the importance of GDM screening

• Organize a diabetes screening at your National Parliament or City Hall to raise awareness among your national or local authorities

Support WDD online

• Share the WDD key messages on social media

• Share WDD resources on your favorite platforms

• Create a WDD page using campaign content and resources

• Create your own social media campaign using WDD content and #WDD @WDD

The ravages of diabetes will never go away unless everyone makes an effort. Early diagnosis and early education are crucial to preventing complications and saving lives. All of the healthcare communities, educators and patients around the world must join forces to stop this epidemic from spreading, prevent the condition in those at risk, and avoid unnecessary death and disability. If we do not do this then the future generations will unfortunately have to deal with the dire consequences of this major global epidemic.

For more information on Living Healthy please check out my website: www.livinghealthy1.org . Be Blessed!