Framework for action on diabetes prevention and control in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region
Publication date: 2021
In October 2021, the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean endorsed a regional framework to support countries scale up action on diabetes prevention and control in the Region. The regional framework provides strategic interventions and indicators for countries to assess their progress in the four domains of: governance; prevention; management; and surveillance and research.
Proposed policy priorities for preventing obesity and diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Publication date: 2017
The alarming and escalating burden of overweight, obesity and diabetes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region is closely linked to changing dietary patterns. Obesity and the most common type of diabetes are largely preventable and urgent action is needed to reduce exposure to their causal factors, such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. This document considers the recommendations of several recent initiatives on the prevention of obesity and diabetes and identifies priorities for an approach to reduce exposure to unhealthy dietary risk factors. It presents an initial proposal for 10 priority areas for action, which cover 37 strategic interventions to help prevent overweight, obesity and diabetes in the whole population, including children, adolescents and adults.
Global report on diabetes
Publication date: 2016
On the occasion of World Health Day 2016, WHO issued a call for action on diabetes, drawing attention to the need to step up prevention and treatment of the disease. The first WHO Global report on diabetes demonstrated that the number of adults living with diabetes has almost quadrupled since 1980 to 422 million adults. This dramatic rise is largely due to the rise in type 2 diabetes and factors driving it include overweight and obesity. In 2012 alone diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths. Its complications can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputation. The new report calls upon governments to ensure that people are able to make healthy choices and that health systems are able to diagnose, treat and care for people with diabetes. It encourages us all as individuals to eat healthily, be physically active, and avoid excessive weight gain.
Halt the diabetes epidemic
Publication date: 2016
In 2014, the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated at 9% among adults aged 18 years or older, while the prevalence in the Eastern Mediterranean Region was 14%. The burden of diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in developing countries. Most of this increase is as a result of the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Until recently, this type of diabetes was seen only in adults but it is now increasingly occurring in children. This report identifies the underlying factors of diabetes, the means for preventing, diagnosing and managing diabetes and WHO’s response to the diabetes burden.
Policy statement and recommended actions for lowering sugar intake and reducing prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Publication date: 2016
This policy statement and proposed action plan is part of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean’s effort to reach the global targets of halting the rise in diabetes and obesity and reduce the burden of premature deaths due to noncommunicable diseases by 25% by 2025. Through a four-phased approach, this policy statement provides the steps that countries should follow to reduce sugar intake, which consequently leads to maintaining a normal body weight, avoiding type 2 diabetes and also preventing dental caries in children and adults.
Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemia in patients with diabetes mellitus: Quick reference guide
Publication date: 2006
In the Region, more than 60% of type 2 diabetic individuals have some degree of dyslipidaemia, more than 40% of type 2 diabetic individuals have hypercholesterolemia, and a further 23% have hypertriglyceridaemia and/or a low level of HDL cholesterol. The purpose of this quick reference guide is to offer proper information and guidance to primary health care physicians, specialists, consultants and policymakers. Each clinician must decide, with their patients, the best approach for managing dyslipidaemia in diabetes.
Guidelines for the management of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus: Quick reference guide
Publication date: 2005
In the Region, there has been a rapid increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus, mainly of type 2. It is the fourth leading cause of death and an estimated 22 million people have diabetes. This quick reference guide aims to provide a readily accessible overview of the evidence-based facts regarding the management of hypertension patients with diabetes mellitus. They have been formulated to help improve the detection and management of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus, and hence decrease the associated microvascular and macrovascular complications.