- In 1980, there were 108 million persons with diabetes; by 2014, there were 422 million. Compared to high-income countries, the prevalence has been growing more quickly in low- and middle-income nations.
- Diabetes is a leading cause of lower limb amputation, heart attacks, strokes, blindness, and renal failure.
- Age-specific diabetes death rates increased by 3% between 2000 and 2019.
- An estimated 2 million fatalities were attributed to diabetes and renal disease in 2019.
- A normal body weight, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quitting smoking are all strategies to stop or postpone the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- Diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, medication, and routine screening and treatment for complications to either prevent or postpone its consequences.
In 1991, the World Health Organisation and the IDF established World Diabetes Day (WDD) in response to rising concerns about the diabetes's increasing danger to health. With the adoption of UN Resolution 61/225 in 2006, World Diabetes Day was recognised as an official UN holiday. Every year on November 14th, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting—who, in 1922, co-discovered insulin with Charles Best—is observed.
WDD is the biggest diabetes awareness campaign in the world, reaching more than 160 countries and more than 1 billion people worldwide. The campaign maintains diabetes firmly in the public and political limelight by bringing attention to topics that are extremely important to the diabetic community.
The campaign for World Diabetes Day seeks to be the:
- Platform to support IDF's year-round advocacy initiatives.
- Worldwide motivator to emphasise the significance of adopting coordinated and concerted measures to address diabetes as a serious worldwide health concern
The blue circle emblem for the campaign was chosen in 2007 following the UN Resolution on diabetes's passage. The worldwide emblem for diabetes awareness is the blue circle. It represents the solidarity of the worldwide diabetes community in the face of the diabetes pandemic.
The World Diabetes Day campaign has a designated topic that is promoted for one or more years every year. “Access to Diabetes Care” is the subject for World Diabetes Day (2021–2023).