This disease, which occurs when there is either a deficiency of insulin or a resistance to insulin, is beginning to be seen at higher rates in children, and unequally impacts low- and middle-income countries. Today, diabetes is responsible for the death of more than 1.5 million people each year and, by 2030, diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death, and more than 50% of individuals with the disease will die prematurely.
This terrible disease requires life long treatment that is difficult for many individuals to obtain and thus leads to pain, suffering, and death the world over.Because of the widespread impact of diabetes, we at the GACD are thrilled that the WHO has chosen to make diabetes the focus of its World Health Day campaign this year, on 7 April. World Health Day is a yearly awareness campaign that focuses on a crucial area of global public health. This year, the WHO is campaigning to BEAT DIABETES, and wants to inform the global community of the costs affiliated with diabetes, including economic loss to individual families, and astronomical costs to national economies in lost productivity, health care, and benefits.
In order to increase awareness around diabetes, the WHO plans to launch an extensive social media campaign in 6 different languages, release the first WHO Global Report discussing diabetes, and encourage a strong response from both governments and individuals. On 7 April, get involved and help beat diabetes!
How to get involved
There are numerous ways to get involved in World Health Day and help beat diabetes. Individuals can organise their own diabetes awareness event, donate to diabetes research, tweet your support using #diabetes, or even contact their local diabetes organisation to figure out how to address diabetes in their community. They can also work to decrease their own risk of diabetes with a healthy diet, exercise, and by maintaining a healthy weight. Businesses and community leaders are encouraged to collaborate and partner with the WHO or other diabetes organisations and plan campaigns in the workplace.
Please join us in celebrating World Health Day for a better, healthier tomorrow!