Diabetes Isn't Just Our Problem.........

November 14, 2011

Today is World Diabetes Day – a day where the entire world stops and takes notice of the world-wide diabetes epidemic – yes an epidemic is the word used by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO denoted diabetes and the seriousness of it throughout the world as an epidemic, not a contagious disease, but so serious that it is affecting a large enough proportion of the world’s population to be called one.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the WHO started this day back in 1991 in response to the growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 when the United Nations signed Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. This year’s theme is to address the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programs throughout your community. My education begins with my blog to educate all those around me.

Wear blue today in recognition of the World Diabetes Day logo - a blue circle - the global symbol for diabetes. The logo was adopted in 2007 to mark the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution. Across cultures, the circle symbolizes life and health. The color blue reflects the sky that unites all nations and is the color of the United Nations flag. The blue circle signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic.

Here are some world-wide key facts about diabetes:
· 346 million people worldwide have diabetes. (Only 10% of these are type 1 diabetics.)
· In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high blood sugar.
· More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
·  WHO projects that diabetes deaths will double between 2005 and 2030.
· Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
· The only way to help those with type 1 diabetes is funding and continued research and a cure.

The word HOPE brings about a lot of thoughts for me today (and every day) – I will have an entire blog on this word in the coming weeks – but today I focus on this word in the realm of the entire world. I am sitting comfortably in my home knowing I have great insurance paid for by my husband’s work, with a child with type 1 diabetes safely at a school with all the medication and care that she could possibly need to ensure she maintains her health, and no worries for her or my other kids if at any moment the need for medical help happens it will be there and I can afford it. There are thousands of children around the world today with type 1 diabetes in other countries (and this one) that struggle to simply get something to eat something, let alone have all the necessary medical care they need – so HOPE today for me means striving for Health Opportunity for People Everywhere.

My wish for today is HOPE and education for those around the world as we mark this occasion and bring about the education of our world (starting at our community and moving outward) to make sure everyone is aware of the cost of this disease and need for a cure and awareness world-wide. Everyone should take a moment research and see if there is anything you can do to raise awareness and give HOPE to world that a cure and help is on its way.

For more information from the IDF of WHO about this day please go to: http://www.idf.org/ and http://www.who.int/topics/diabetes_mellitus/en/

Until there is a cure,
Jennifer