November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

November is the national diabetes month – this month serves as an important reminder to all progressive humanity that the prevalence of the disease is steadily increasing. For the first time, the National Diabetes Awareness Month was hosted by IDF (International Diabetes Federation) and WHO (World Health Organization) to coordinate the fight against diabetes around the world. Through the work of IDF, National Diabetes Month reaches millions of people around the world and brings together diabetes societies in 145 countries with the noble goal of raising awareness of diabetes and its complications. Having annually outlined a topic directly related to people with diabetes, IDF does not seek to concentrate all efforts on one day’s actions but distributes the activity throughout the year.
The month was chosen in recognition of the merits of one of the discoverers of insulin, Frederick Bunting, who was born on November 14, 1891. Since 2007, it has been celebrated under the auspices of the United Nations. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in a special resolution No. A / RES / 61/225 of December 20, 2006.

The General Assembly resolution invites UN member states to develop national programs for diabetes control and care for people with diabetes. It is recommended that these programs take into account the Millennium Development Goals.

Importance of the event

Diabetes mellitus is one of the three diseases that most often lead to disability and death (atherosclerosis, cancer and diabetes mellitus).

According to the WHO, diabetes mellitus increases mortality by 2-3 times and shortens life expectancy.

The urgency of the problem is due to the scale of the spread of diabetes mellitus. To date, about 200,000 cases have been recoreded all over the world, but the real number of cases is twice higher (patients with a mild form that do not take medication are not counted). At the same time, the incidence annually increases in all countries by 5-7%. Consequently, the catastrophic increase in the number of cases is taking on the character of a non-infectious epidemic.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by a steady increase in blood glucose levels, can occur at any age and continues throughout life. A hereditary predisposition is clearly traced, however, the realization of this risk depends on the action of many factors, among which obesity and physical inactivity are leading. There are type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent). A catastrophic increase in the incidence is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which accounts for more than 85% of all cases.

On January 11, 1922, Banting and Best gave the first insulin injection to a diabetic teenager Leonard Thompson — the era of insulin therapy began — the discovery of insulin was a significant medical advance in the 20th century and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1923.

In October 1989, the Saint Vincent Declaration on improving the quality of care for people with diabetes was adopted and a program for its implementation in Europe was developed. Similar programs exist in most countries.

The patients’ lives lasted longer, they stopped dying directly from diabetes mellitus. The advances in diabetology in recent decades have allowed an optimistic view of the solution to the problems caused by diabetes.

National Diabetes Month Topics

• 1991 – “The problem of diabetes goes to the world”
• 1992 – “Diabetes: a problem for all ages and all countries”
• 1993 – “Growing up with diabetes”
• 1994 – “Diabetes and Aging”
• 1995 – “The Price of Ignorance”
• 1996 – “Insulin for Life”
• 1997 – “Global awareness is the key to a better life”
• 1998 – “Diabetes and Human Rights”
• 1999 – “The cost of diabetes”
• 2000 – “Diabetes and Quality of Life in the New Millennium”
• 2001 – “Reducing the burden: diabetes and cardiovascular disease”
• 2002 – “Your Eyes and Diabetes: Don’t Forget the Risks”
• 2003 – “Diabetes can cost you your kidneys. Act immediately! “
• 2004 – “Fighting Obesity Prevents Diabetes”
• 2005 – “Foot Priority – Amputation Prevention” (Diabetes and Foot Care) [1]
• 2006 – “Diabetes: Help for Everyone!” (Diabetes in disadvantaged and vulnerable populations)
• 2007-2008. – “Diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents”
• 2009 – “Diabetes, education and prevention”
• 2010 – “Taking diabetes under control. Now “(Let’s take control of diabetes. Now.)
• 2011 – “Influencing Diabetes. Now “(Act on Diabetes. Now.)
• 2012 – Diabetes: protect our future
• 2013 – Prevent diabetes to protect our future
• 2014 – “Starting the day with a healthy breakfast”
• 2015 – Let’s make healthy eating a right, not a privilege
• 2016 – Eyes on Diabetes
• 2017 – Women and diabetes
• 2018—2019. – “The Family and Diabetes”
• 2020 – “The Nurse and Diabetes”