The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is access to diabetes care. The focus of the campaign in 2023 is on delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications, with the slogan “Know your risk, Know your response.”
Globally, an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population. This reflects an increase in associated risk factors such as being overweight or obese. Over the past decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. In addition, diabetes can be treated, and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications.
100 years after the discovery of insulin, millions of people with diabetes around the world cannot access the care they need. People with diabetes require ongoing care and support to manage their condition and avoid complications. The centenary of the discovery of insulin presents a unique opportunity to bring about meaningful change for the more than 460 million people living with diabetes and the millions more at risk.
You can support the call and raise awareness of the need for more diabetes education in a number of ways:
Share the type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool to help individuals find out their risk of type 2 diabetes. (Developed by Diabetes Society) Available in different languages.
Share a blue circle selfie: take a photo with the diabetes blue circle and share your diabetes story online.
Use the World Diabetes Day Instagram filters promoting the blue circle, our call to action and key message to ‘know your risk’.
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