“Diabetes: Protect our Future”
Introduction
Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organization (WHO), the Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
World Diabetes Day is intended to raise the health awareness of diabetics, and even those vulnerable to the disease, and provide the best possible health and health-awareness services.
World Diabetes Day is launched this year under the theme: “Diabetes: Protect Our Future”. It is meant to raise people's awareness of how to avoid diabetes, or even put it off, by following a healthy dietary system and keeping exercising, as well as maintaining body weight within the normal level. Avoiding tobacco-use, besides, contributes to protecting people against diabetes (Type 2), or putting it off. Estimates show that more than 220 million people around the world suffer from diabetes, and this number is projected to double by 2030, unless serious actions are taken.
It is worth mentioning that around 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), for its part, is looking forward to raising people's awareness of diabetes, the rates of its onset, which is still on the rise, as well as how to prevent it.
Locally:
Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are still based on a study, published in 2008, indicating that the total rate of diabetics is 14.1% in the society. Also, another study has identified that the rate of diabetics in the age group over 30 years constitutes 28% of the rate of diabetics in the society.
Internationally Approved Date:
14/11/2013
Locally Approved Date:
11/1/1435H
Theme of the World Diabetes Day 2013:
“Diabetes: Protect our Future”
Targeted Groups:
- Diabetics and their families.
- Health decision makers.
- Diabetes health educators.
- All segments of society.
Logo:
- Encouraging governments to promote and implement policies of prevention and control diabetes and its complications.
- Supporting and spreading national initiatives to combat diabetes and its complications.
- Showing the importance of evidence-based education in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.
- Raising awareness of the warning signs of diabetes and encouraging the early diagnosis.
- Promoting measures to reduce risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Promoting measures to prevent or delay complications of diabetes.