World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14, to raise awareness about this chronic condition and it marks the birthday of Sir Fredrick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

World Diabetes Day was first endorsed in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the health impact posed by diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a largely manageable and, in some cases, preventable non-communicable disorder, and the last two decades witnessed a rapid rise in the number of diabetic cases across the world.

Significance

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2021-2023 is “Access to Diabetes Care”. The event serves to augment the key message about the importance of increasing access to diabetes care to improve diabetes management, avert the risk of complications and uplift the quality of life of people living with diabetes across the globe.

This year 2021, is special, as it marks 100 years since the discovery of lifesaving insulin. Yet access to diabetes care continues to be a challenge in several countries. Millions of people with diabetes around the globe still do not have access to holistic diabetes care. People with diabetes need continuous care and support to manage diabetes and avoid complications. This health event is an opportunity to highlight the urgent need to improve the approach to diabetes screening and treatment. Furthermore, the campaign also emphasises government organisations to increase investment in diabetes care and prevention and the need to provide medicine, technological support, and care to all people with diabetes.

Statistics reveal that about 1 in 2 people with type 2 diabetes don’t know that they have it and 1 in 11 people are living with diabetes. The IDF has advised the families to understand and learn about the warning symptoms of diabetes and identify their risk of type 2 diabetes.

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In India, more than 62 million people are currently diagnosed with diabetes and this number is expected to increase significantly by 2030. Globally, diabetes prevalence is projected to reach 366 million by 2030. The report emphasises the importance of educating and creating awareness among people to identify the warning signs of diabetes at an early stage.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that leads to high blood sugar levels, either because the body cannot produce sufficient insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or does not utilize insulin effectively (Type 2 diabetes). If diabetes is left untreated it can lead to severe complications including blindness, amputation, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. Also Read: Importance of Self-Monitoring Blood Sugar

Diabetes can be effectively managed with proper lifestyle modifications and medications, however, certain lifestyle modifications and dietary choices can support diabetes management and may help reduce the risk of complications alongside medical treatment. Check out the infographic for more details.