Diabetes: Protect Your Family

World Diabetes Day is the largest diabetes awareness campaign in the world. It reaches a global audience of more than one billion people in 165 countries and this year’s theme is “Family and Diabetes”.

Any disease affects many more people than those who are strictly diagnosed. Family members are usually the closest. On 14 November we celebrate World Diabetes Day. This date was chosen by the IDF (International Diabetes Federation) for being the day of birth of Frederick Banting, who along with Charles Best discovered insulin in 1922. This discovery allowed diabetes to go from being a deadly pathology to a controllable disease.

Early detection of diabetes also incapacitates the family

• Most people don’t know they have pre-diabetes until it’s too late. The longer it goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the likelihood that you will progress to type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that between 20% and 25% of the adult population may be suffering from pre-diabetes in developed countries and do not know it.
• 1 in 2 people with diabetes is undiagnosed. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to helping delay and prevent life-threatening complications.
• If type 1 diabetes is not detected early, it can lead to serious disability or death. Know the signs and symptoms, do it for yourself and your family.

Prevention of type 2 diabetes

Many cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented by adopting for healthy lifestyles. Reducing family risk starts at home.  When a family eats healthy meals and exercises together, everyone benefits and encourages behaviors that can help prevent type 2 diabetes in the family.

If there is diabetes in your family, learn the warning signs and risks to consider, and what you can do to prevent diabetes and its complications. Families need to live in environments that support healthy lifestyles to help them prevent type 2 diabetes.

A short questionnaire is a simple, practical and inexpensive way to quickly identify if a person is at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and a health professional should be consulted.

On 14 November the IDF publishes the 9th Edition of its World Atlas of Diabetes. The numbers are staggering, there are more than 425 million people with diabetes in the world.  The campaign is represented by the blue circle logo, which was adopted in 2007 following the adoption of the UN Resolution on diabetes. The blue circle is the global symbol of diabetes awareness. It represents the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic. Awareness of this global pandemic is imperative.

My Diabetes Care Affects the Whole Family

Diabetes management requires daily treatment, regular monitoring, a healthy diet and lifestyle, and continuing education. Family support is important. All healthcare professionals must have the knowledge and skills required to help individuals and their families manage diabetes. Education and ongoing support should be accessible to all individuals and their families to help manage diabetes. Essential diabetes medicines and care must be accessible and affordable to all families.orld Diabetes Day 2019 has more than 770 events planned in 107 countries around the world. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure and premature death. Simple actions can reduce risk. More than 50% of type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90% of all diabetes, is preventable.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization that brings together more than 230 national diabetes associations from more than 160 countries and territories. It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes or at low risk of developing it. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950.