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When is Diabetes Day?
World Diabetes Day is celebrated each year on November 14, and it coincides with National Diabetes Awareness Month in the U.S. The recognized day takes place on the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the co-discoverer of insulin in the early 20th Century. The annual awareness day was created by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991; although, it wasn’t until 2006 that it became officially recognized by the United Nations.
What is World Diabetes Day?
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is the largest diabetes awareness campaign in the world and reaches more than 1 billion people annually. Each year’s celebration brings a unique message to light, and the theme for 2020 is “The Nurse and Diabetes,” which aims to raise awareness of the crucial role nurses play in supporting people who live with the disease.
According to WHO, there’s a global shortage of nurses. In 2018, there were 5.9 million less nurses than needed, and 89% of that shortage was concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. The nursing profession needs to grow by 8% a year to overcome the current shortage trend by 2030.
The critical role nurses play in diabetes care and the worldwide shortage of nursing professionals is why this year’s topic is so important. The Role of the Diabetes Educator, an online course developed by the IDF, is featured this year. It helps nurses assess what they know about diabetes and improves their knowledge and understanding of treating the condition.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t effectively use the insulin it does make, causing high blood sugar. It’s a persistent health threat throughout the world. According to WHO, the number of people with diabetes rose worldwide from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. In 2016, roughly 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes. And, between 2000 and 2016, there was a 5% increase in premature mortality from the disease.
People are diagnosed with one of two types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce adequate insulin to control blood sugar levels. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar in your cells. Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, and genetics may play a role in its onset. This type of diabetes typically appears during childhood or adolescence but can also develop during adulthood. Type 1 diabetes needs to be managed by living a healthy lifestyle and working with a doctor to develop a treatment plan and regular insulin routine.
- Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which your body either resists insulin or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Once referred to as adult-onset diabetes, this type is increasingly seen in younger populations—coinciding with the rise in childhood obesity. Type 2 diabetes can’t be cured, but medications are available to treat it. Additionally, those with this type of the disease can manage it by losing weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising. Type 2 diabetes is the most common in the world, but can be prevented, or delayed, by living a healthy lifestyle.
How Can You Support Those with Diabetes?
Nurses around the world can participate in various free online courses provided by the IDF to learn more about diabetes and how to help care for those with the disease. Relatives of family living with diabetes can help their loved ones adopt a healthy diet, exercise routine and ensure they’re properly taking any doctor-prescribed medications or insulin to help manage the condition. And even employers can play an important role in supporting those with diabetes. Workplace wellness programs should promote healthy dietary choices and encourage regular physical activity throughout the workday—each a critical step in managing both types of the disease and, potentially, preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes altogether.
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