Wednesday, 14th November 2018 is marked as World Diabetes Day.
#WDD2018
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus and is held on 14th November each year.
The theme this year is The Family and Diabetes and according to the International Diabetes Federation diabetes concerns every family. The federation lists four key points to note about diabetes in 2018:
1. Over 425 million people are currently living with diabetes. Most of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable through regular physical activity, a healthy and balanced diet, and the promotion of healthy living environments. Families have a key role to play in addressing the modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes and must be provided with the education, resources and environments to live a healthy lifestyle.
2. 1 in 2 people currently living with diabetes is undiagnosed. Most cases are type 2 diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to prevent the complications of diabetes and achieve healthy outcomes. All families are potentially affected by diabetes and so awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors for all types of diabetes are vital to help detect it early.
3. Diabetes can be expensive for the individual and family. In many countries, the cost of insulin injection and daily monitoring alone can consume half of a family’s average disposable income, and regular and affordable access to essential diabetes medicines are out of reach for too many. Improving access to affordable diabetes medicines and care is therefore urgent to avoid increased costs for the individual and family, which impact on health outcomes.
4. Less than 1 in 4 family members have access to diabetes education programmes. Family support in diabetes care has been shown to have a substantial effect in improving health outcomes for people with diabetes. It is therefore important that ongoing diabetes self-management education and support be accessible to all people with diabetes and their families to reduce the emotional impact of the disease that can result in a negative quality of life.
There are several key contributing factors to type 2 diabetes, a type of diabetes that is both preventable and curable.
For a start, check out our recent report, The Truth About Sugar. Click here.
Or check out our two part series on Type 2 diabetes:
Part 1 – How To Avoid Type 2 Diabetes
Part 2 – How To Manage Type 2 Diabetes
If you would like to talk to one of our weight loss consultants about your Type 2 diabetes and associated weight issues, then please request a call back here.
