Every November 14 is recognized as World Diabetes Day, which seeks to raise awareness on the impact diabetes has on the family and those associated with the afflicted. The observance also seeks to promote the role of family in the management, care, prevention, and education of the disease.
This year’s theme is “Family and Diabetes,” which urges families to learn about the warning signs and to create a support network for those affected.
“A lack of knowledge about diabetes means that spotting the warning signs is not just a problem for parents, but is an issue impacting a cross-section of society,” the International Diabetes Federation noted on the World Diabetes Day website.
“More than 420 million people suffer from diabetes, a treatable and often preventable disease largely driven by unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and poor access to health services and medicines,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Diabetes damages health and undermines educational and employment aspirations for many, affecting communities and forcing families into economic hardship through catastrophic medical expenses.”
“On World Diabetes Day, I voice my support for all individuals around the world living with diabetes,” he added.
The resolution enacting the observance, which was adopted in December 2006, recognized an “urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and healthcare education.”
The policy also called on member-states to “raise public awareness of diabetes and related complications, as well as its prevention and care, including through education and the mass media.”
According to a 2016 World Health Organization country profile on the Philippines, there were over 33,000 deaths attributed to the disease.
It also comprised six percent of all deaths recorded that year./WDJ