World commemorates diabetes day 2018

The global community Wednesday commemorated the 2018 World Diabetes Day (WDD) led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) under the theme: “the family and diabetes,” aimed at promoting the role of the family in the management, care, prevention and education of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that prevents the body from properly utilizing the energy derived from the food humans eat. It is a debilitating and costly disease which is becoming increasingly common, especially in developing countries.

In 1991, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organization (WHO) launched the WDD, in response to the rapid increase in diabetes around the world, which is annually held on 14th November.

According to IDF, not less than 425 million people are currently living with diabetes mellitus worldwide, and this number is expected to rise to 522 million by 2030 – “much of this will occur in developing countries due to population growth, ageing, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary lifestyles.”

This year`s theme: “the family and diabetes,” is focused on raising “awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected.”

It further emphasizes families’ critically important role in addressing the risk factors associated with the disease, for which reason diabetic patients must be provided with the right education, resources and environments to live a healthy life.

Research has shown that family support in the care of diabetic patients is an effective way of improving the health outcomes of people living with diabetes. “It is therefore important that ongoing diabetes self-management education and support be accessible to all people with diabetes and their families to reduce the emotional impact of the disease that can result in a negative quality life,” says IDF.