According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 537 million adults worldwide were living with diabetes in 2021, a number projected to rise to 643 million by 2030.
Diabetes is a chronic health condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. There are primarily two types:
Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production.
Type 2 Diabetes: A metabolic disorder where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough, often associated with lifestyle factors.
Type 1 Diabetes: An autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production.
Type 2 Diabetes: A metabolic disorder where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough, often associated with lifestyle factors.
Raising awareness about diabetes is important for early detection and management. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial to prevent complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2024-26 is "Diabetes and Well-being," focusing on the holistic health of individuals affected by diabetes. This theme emphasizes three key areas:
- Physical Well-being, highlighting the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and managing all types of diabetes and their complications.
- Societal Well-being, addressing barriers that prevent individuals with diabetes from leading healthy and fulfilling lives.
- Mental Well-being, raising awareness of the stress and anxiety associated with living with a chronic condition like diabetes and the need to incorporate mental health support into diabetes care.
As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, global and local efforts to raise awareness, educate the public, and advocate for better care are more important than ever. By participating in World Diabetes Day and related initiatives, individuals and communities can contribute to a healthier future for all.
World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14, is a time to raise awareness about diabetes. Diabetes is a condition affecting millions worldwide. This date honors Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin in 1922, a breakthrough that transformed diabetes management. Sir Frederick Banting was a pioneering Canadian physician and scientist who played a crucial role in the discovery of insulin, a breakthrough that transformed the treatment of diabetes and earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923.
Banting’s work on insulin began after he opened a small medical practice in London, Ontario, but faced financial difficulties due to a lack of patients. During this time, he developed an interest in diabetes research after reading about the pancreas's role in blood sugar regulation. In October 1920, Banting conceived the idea of isolating the pancreatic secretions responsible for controlling blood sugar. He proposed that removing the exocrine part of the pancreas in diabetic dogs might help isolate what he called the “internal secretion” that regulates glucose levels.
Banting approached Professor J.J.R. Macleod, a renowned physiologist at the University of Toronto, for support. Initially skeptical, Macleod eventually provided Banting with laboratory space, equipment, and research assistants, including Charles Best, who became Banting’s closest collaborator. Together, Banting and Best experimented with removing and isolating pancreatic extracts from dogs, which ultimately led to the discovery of insulin.
The discovery of insulin marked a significant advance in medicine, effectively transforming diabetes from a fatal disease into a manageable condition. In 1923, Banting was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine alongside Macleod.
For more information and resources, visit the International Diabetes Federation's website at worlddiabetesday.org and the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.
Banting approached Professor J.J.R. Macleod, a renowned physiologist at the University of Toronto, for support. Initially skeptical, Macleod eventually provided Banting with laboratory space, equipment, and research assistants, including Charles Best, who became Banting’s closest collaborator. Together, Banting and Best experimented with removing and isolating pancreatic extracts from dogs, which ultimately led to the discovery of insulin.
The discovery of insulin marked a significant advance in medicine, effectively transforming diabetes from a fatal disease into a manageable condition. In 1923, Banting was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine alongside Macleod.
For more information and resources, visit the International Diabetes Federation's website at worlddiabetesday.org and the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.