Background
World Diabetes Day is celebrated globally on the 14th of November on an annual basis.
It was founded in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006.
According to worlddiabetesday.org: “World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.
The World Diabetes Campaign aims to be the:
- Platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year.
- Global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue.”
Theme
For 2021 – 2023, the theme is “Access to Diabetes Care”, with this year’s main focus on promoting the importance of educating individuals on diabetes.
According to worlddiabetesday.org: “People living with diabetes need ongoing education to manage their condition. Many do not have access to diabetes education.”
How do I join in World Diabetes Day?
You can join in World Diabetes Day by:
- Sharing on social media – By sharing this article and other articles and information on social media about World Diabetes Day and why it is so important.
The World Diabetes Day website has added a resources section on their website which includes content that you can use on your media such as logo’s, posters, infographics, web banners and much more. If you would like to use these resources, then please visit worlddiabetesday.org/resources.
- Participate in a local diabetes event – Events will be hosted over the UK by local diabetes charities, if you would like to join one of these events, then please contact your local diabetes charity.
If you would like to search for a charity which is close to you online then please go to neighbourly.com. Neighbourly.com will assist you in your search for charities in your town within a specific range.
- Wear blue for diabetes – By wearing blue or wearing a blue circle pin or bracelet, you are promoting World Diabetes Day and that you are raising awareness of diabetes.
- Download the Blue Circle Selfie app – According to worddiabetesday.org: “The blue circle is the universal symbol for diabetes. It signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the rising number of people affected by diabetes. The symbol means nothing to many people. Help us change that!”
If you would like to find out more or to download the Blue Circle Selfie app, then please visit worlddiabetesday.org/resources/wdd-2021/blue-circle-selfie-app.
- Find out more about diabetes – Finding out more about diabetes can help you to educate others on the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, or about their blood sugars.
We discussed previously during Diabetes Week, which took place earlier in June on the differences of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and what a diabetic emergency is, we recommend that you have a read of it here.