Diabetes is recognized as a dangerous epidemic affecting populations in significant numbers, both here in the U.S. and abroad. In order to truly combat this rising global health problem, worldwide awarenss measures are among the primary tools utilized. Wednesday, November 14, is World Diabetes Day (World Health Organization [WHO], 2012). There are an estimated 346 million people worldwide with diabetes and this number is expected to double by the year 2030, without effective education and intervention strategies (WHO, 2012). The World Diabetes Day awareness campaign outlines the ever-increasing international rates of diabetes, the economic impact of diabetes, and describes ways to prevent diabetes-related complications. There are numerous resources available to facilitate diabetes awareness in your area on World Diabetes Day. Materials include:
- posters
- campaign booklets that provide an overview of the campaign
- day booklets expressing the campaign theme
- promotional items (bracelets, flags, pins, t-shirts, waist measuring tape)
- videos promoting the World Diabetes Day message
- online resources for assessing type 2 diabetes risk, glycemic control, and healthy food choices (International Diabetes Federation, 2011)
The sheer number of people with type 2 diabetes means that eventually each one of us will have someone we know and love affected by this health condition. It is important that we arm ourselves with the information and resources necessary to help reduce type 2 diabetes prevalence. Acknowleding and participating in World Diabetes Day is one way of doing just that.
References
International Diabetes Federation (2011
). Diabetes: Protect our future. Retrieved from
http://www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday/
World Health Organization (2012
). World Diabetes Day. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/index.html
I hope this kind of activity will help raise awareness to the point of people being less resistant to their diagnosis. My best friend's mother suffered with Type 2 for many years before she finally passed away. It was only a few years after that my friend was also diagnosed with it. She went through the various stages before finally acceptance and management of the disease. I am afraid that her resistance to her illness may have cost her years of life. I know the quality of life she has now is not the same as it once was. Awareness and early prevention are definitely integral to managing this disease. I will be seeing her this next weekend and will reminder her that Nov. 14th is World Diabetes Day.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the information about World Diabetes Day. My husband and I have had many family members with diabetes and have even lost an uncle because of diabetes. Therefore, it is a health concern for both of us. Your post reminded me of the importance of solidarity around the world for such a far reaching disease. Teaching on a minority-majority college campus, I think I will incorporate the event into my class so that those who have loved ones with diabetes or are suffering with the disease themselves, can realize they are not alone.
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