Introduction:
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has launched the World Diabetes Day 2016 under the theme "Eyes on diabetes". This year’s activities and materials will focus on promoting two main messages:
- Screening for type 2 diabetes to reduce the risk of serious complications
- Screening for diabetes complications is an essential part of managing all types of diabetes.
According to the estimations of the IDF around 193 million people, almost half of the adults with diabetes, are not aware of their condition; most of them are type 2 diabetics. Early detection of diabetes makes treatment faster and reduces the risk of harmful and costly complications.
Diabetes is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases, blindness, kidney failure and amputation of the lower limbs. Regrettably, more than one third of world's populations have both types of diabetes and at risk of visual impairment and blindness. Complications can be prevented or delayed by maintaining the levels of sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol to be as close to normal as possible. By screening several complications can be noticed at early stages, for their treatment and therefore prevention of more serious situation.
Facts about diabetes:
- The number of people with diabetes has quadrupled since 1980, spreading all over the world particularly in low-income countries for complicated reasons. Such increase is partially attributed to the increasing number of people who are overweight and obese, with lack of physical activity.
- Both types of diabetes may cause many serious complications and high rate of early death. In 2012, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes worldwide and its complications were greatly prevented by following healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking.
- In April 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global report on diabetes, which calls for taking measures to limit exposure to the risk factors of type 2 diabetes and improve quality and chances of access to care by diabetics.
Statistics:
- Globally: According to the statistics of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are over 400 million adults with diabetes and the figure is expected to be over 592 million in 2035, with 5 million deaths every year.
- Locally: According to the statistics mentioned in the Saudi Health Information Survey Handbook 2013, there are about 1,851,080.00 diabetics, over the age of 15 years, and will increase to over 4,300,000.00 in 2030.
Objectives of the World Diabetes Day:
The year’s activities will focus on promoting the importance of continuous screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.
Official Date:
Globally: November 14th, 2016
Locally: Safar 14th, 1438H
Theme of the World Diabetes Day 2016:
Eyes on Diabetes
Targeted Groups:
- Diabetics and their families.
- Those at risk of Diabetes.
- Health decision-makers.
- Diabetes health educators.
- The public.