The mission of the WHO Programme on Noncommunicable Diseases is to prevent diabetes whenever possible and, where not possible, to minimize complications and maximize the quality of life.

The overall goal of the programme is to improve health through stimulating and supporting the adoption of effective measures for the surveillance, prevention and control of diabetes and its complications, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive blood testing.

Interventions that are both cost saving and feasible in developing countries include:

moderate blood glucose control. People with Type 1 diabetes require insulin; people with Type 2 diabetes can be treated with oral medication, but may also require insulin.

blood pressure control.

foot care.

screening and treatment for retinopathy (which causes blindness).

blood lipid control (to regulate cholesterol levels).

screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease.

The goal to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes is addressed by focusing on the following core functions of WHO:

to oversee the development and adoption of internationally agreed standards and norms for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, its complications and risk factors.

to promote and contribute to the surveillance of diabetes, its complications and mortality, and its risk factors.

to contribute to building capacity for the prevention and control of diabetes.

to raise awareness about the importance of diabetes as a global public health problem.

to act as an advocate for the prevention and control of diabetes in vulnerable populations.