World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day is on November 14th every year, all around the world! This day is an important reminder to raise awareness about the disease and to take action to protect ourselves against it. Join us in learning more about the disease!

History

World Diabetes Day was founded in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation. The need for this came about due to the increasing number of people being diagnosed with diabetes. The date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Canadian medical scientist Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin with his colleague Charles Best. In 2006, the United Nations officially recognized World Diabetes Day, giving it more credibility and support from organizations worldwide. The day also comes with an official logo, which is a blue circle. The themes of the day also change to reflect the current issues with diabetes. For the period 2021-2023, the theme is “Access to Diabetes Care,” as there are still people who cannot get proper medical examination and treatment due to financial constraints.

Interesting facts

• Chinese scientists predict that the number of diabetic patients in the country will increase to 30 million by 2025.
• Before the discovery of insulin, surgeons refused to operate on people with gangrene as they deemed it a hopeless situation.
• About 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are obese.
• In 1996, a teenage girl died in Pennsylvania because her parents forbade her from taking insulin injections and were convinced that only prayers could cure her.
• In ancient times, doctors were able to determine diabetes by the taste of urine. If it was sweet, it indicated an increased amount of glucose, which meant the person had the disease.

How to take part

Learn more about the disease by reading scientific materials, watching documentaries, and looking at medical statistics. Share the information with your loved ones and talk about the dangers and risks of the disease. Donate to special funds to help those who are suffering from diabetes.

When is World Diabetes Day in 2024?

World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14 each year.

Observations