Understanding the Global Diabetes Epidemic: World Diabetes Day Overview

Diabetes is becoming an increasingly major health problem in the UK, largely due to the obesity crisis that is almost at an epidemic scale. Nearly 90% of diabetes cases in the UK fall under the category of Type 2 diabetes (aka lifestyle diabetes) which is largely due to poor diet. Obesity is at an all-time high in the UK and is affecting the health of thousands of people.

World Diabetes Day was established to draw attention to the fact that cases of diabetes are at an epic number and continue to rise globally. World Diabetes Day takes place on November 14th annually and is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign, reaching over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. These campaigns keep the critical issues of diabetes firmly in the public and political eye.

To learn more about World Diabetes Day and how you can participate, keep reading.

The Importance of World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in reaction to growing concerns about the health threat posed by diabetes around the world. In 2006 WDD became an official United Nations Day. It is recognized annually on November 14th in honour of Sir Frederick Banting, the man who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

To raise awareness, campaigns are carried out in more than 160 countries around the world that spotlight issues of paramount importance in the scientific and medical arena as well as for patients living with diabetes.

The WDD campaign aims to be the:

· Platform to promote projects and initiatives of the International Diabetes Federation.

· Global driver to promote the importance of taking collaborative and resolute actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health and healthcare issue.

Every year, the World Diabetes Day campaign focuses on a specific theme, this year the theme is “Access to Diabetes Care”.

At Pearl Chemist Group, we are committed to offering professional and compassionate services for diabetes patients. We offer a wide range of diabetes testing which includes regular diabetes blood tests as well as type 2 diabetes tests. Visit any of our PCG pharmacies that are conveniently located across South London for fast and reliable test results.