World Diabetes Day to be marked on November 14

Islamabad: Like other parts of the globe, World Diabetes Day will be marked on November 14 across the globe including Pakistan with an aim to increase awareness about the effects of diabetes and the complications caused by the disease. Healthy eating helps prevent or delay the development of diabetes.

The World Diabetes Day campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation and its member associations around the world, including the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes UK, Diabetes Australia, the Canadian Diabetes Association, Diabetes South Africa, Diabetes New Zealand and the Diabetic Association of India.

These organizations arrange events at international, national and local levels. Events included conferences, workshops and seminars for health and public policy professionals. The distribution of information to encourage at risk individuals to be screened for diabetes. Events to highlight diabetes in local and national media, including television, newspapers and internet publications. The World Diabetes Day bike races to increase awareness of diabetes.

The distribution of geocoins for use in geocaching (a game for global positioning systems users). Civil leaders around the world issue proclamations on World Diabetes Day to raise awareness on diabetes in their communities. Many events aim at raising money for research into treatments for diabetes.

Diabetes is the common name for a range of conditions including diabetes mellitus type one and diabetes mellitus type two, diabetes insipidus and gestational diabetes. These are all conditions, which affect how the pancreas (an organ in the digestive system) secretes insulin or how the body reacts to this hormone. Depending on the type and severity, diabetes is controlled by dietary measures, weight loss, oral medication or injected or inhaled insulin. There is a wide range of short and long-term complications of diabetes including foot and eye problems and vascular diseases.

It is estimated that one in three residents of the United States will develop diabetes at some point in their life. On December 20, 2006, the United Nations (UN) passed a resolution to designate November 14 as World Diabetes Day. The occasion aimed to raise awareness about diabetes, its prevention and complications and the care that people with the condition need. Governments, non-governmental organisations and private businesses are encouraged to increase awareness on the disease, particularly among the general population and the media. World Diabetes Day was first commemorated on November 14, 2007, and is observed annually.