Noncommunicable diseases

 
 
 


Events

World Diabetes Day
14 November

"Understand Diabetes and Take Control" 

Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death by disease globally.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in adults in developed countries.

People with diabetes are 15 to 40 times more likely to require a lower limb amputation and are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people without diabetes.

Other devastating complications of diabetes, such as blindness, kidney failure and heart disease, are imposing a huge burden on health care services. 

Prevalence of Diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent among both sexes in Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Its prevalence ranges from between 3.5% and 30.0% and is highest among member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at a rate of 11.5% to 30.0% (Figure1).

Many countries in the Region are now reporting the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus at an increasingly young age. This is due to increasingly sedentary lifestyles, higher life expectancy and obesity, High blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases are also on the rise.

The World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013 is “Diabetes Education and Prevention”.

The campaign slogan for 2009 is "Understand Diabetes and Take Control".

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations.

The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. This year sees the first of a five-year campaign that will address the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programmes. The key messages for everyone are:

  • Know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs

  • Know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to

  • Know how to manage diabetes and take control

More information, along with leaflets, posters, and a promotional video, are available on World Diabetes Day web site

Figure 1. Mean prevalence of diabetes by % among adult population in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, year 1990- 2006