Date: 11/15/2008
TUMSPR News: The World Diabetes Day is held this year on 14 November each year to raise awareness about this insidious disease. The naming of this day came along with the initiative of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who with Charles Best, helped the discovery of insulin in 1922.
On December 20, 2006 the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on World Diabetes Day. The resolution is the result of the Unite for Diabetes campaign, led by the International Diabetes Federation in collaboration with the global diabetes community. With the resolution World Diabetes Day, will be regarded as a United Nations Day and it will be to be observed every year beginning in 2007 (1).
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.
WHO estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes, according to 2005 figures. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without intervention. Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low and middle-income countries (2).
Diabetes causes about 5% of all deaths globally each year-
80% of people with diabetes live in low and middle income countries-
- Most people with diabetes in low and middle income countries are middle-aged (45-64), not elderly (65+)
- Diabetes deaths are likely to increase by more than 50% in the next 10 years without urgent action (3).
To make a long story short, the key messages below round up the gloomy picture the disease paints:
"Diabetes is a major threat to global public health that is rapidly getting worse, and the biggest impact is on adults of working age in developing countries."
Diabetes is a life-threatening condition
Diabetes is a common condition and its frequency is dramatically rising all over the world
A full and healthy life is possible with Diabetes
In many cases, Diabetes can be prevented (4).
Until recently, type 2 diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now also occurring in obese children too (5).
To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should:
Achieve and maintain healthy body weight-
- Be physically active for at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More activity is required for weight control.
Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive blood testing (1).
References:
1- UN resolution on iabetes
http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/the-campaign/unite-for-diabetes/un-resolution-on-diabetes-media-kit
2- World Diabetes Day
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_diabetes_day/en/index.html
3- Quick diabetes facts, http://www.who.int/diabetes/en/index.html
4- Four key messages about diabetes
http://www.who.int/diabetes/BOOKLET_HTML/en/index2.html
5- http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/index.html
http://publicrelations.tums.ac.ir/english/news/detail.asp?newsID=9497
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