World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on 14 November. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. Diabetes Australia is a member of the IDF and Australian endocrinologist, Dr Martin Sillink was the president of the IDF in 2009. WDD engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness.

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. WDD became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/255. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.

For more information visit www.worlddiabetesday.org

Each year, World Diabetes Day features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself is celebrated on 14 November, the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.

‘Diabetes Education and Prevention’ is the 2009–2013 theme. Diabetes imposes life-long demands on the 250 million people now living with the disease, and their families. People with diabetes must deliver 95% of their own care, so it is of paramount importance that they receive ongoing, high-quality diabetes education that is tailored to their needs and delivered by skilled health professionals. In addition, IDF estimates that over 300 million people worldwide are at risk of type 2 diabetes. (information taken from the IDF WWD website) 

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