World Diabetes Day

ON November 14 each year, World Diabetes Day aims to increase awareness of the effects of diabetes and the complications caused by the disease.

The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation and its member associations around the world.

These organisations arrange events at international, national and local levels.

Events include:

 Conferences, workshops and seminars for health and public policy professionals;

 The distribution of information to encourage at risk individuals to be screened for diabetes;

 Events to highlight diabetes in local and national media, including television, newspapers and internet publications; and

 The World Diabetes

Day bike races to increase awareness of diabetes.

Diabetes is the common name for a range of conditions including diabetes mellitus type 1 and diabetes mellitus type 2, diabetes insipidus and gestational diabetes.

These are all conditions, which affect how the pancreas (an organ in the digestive system) secretes insulin or how the body reacts to this hormone.

Depending on the type and severity, diabetes is controlled by dietary measures, weight loss, oral medication or injected or inhaled insulin. There is a wide range of short and long-term complications of diabetes including foot and eye problems and vascular diseases.

About 40 per cent of the Pacific Island region’s population of 9.7 million has been diagnosed with a non-communicable disease, notably cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension.

These diseases account for three quarters of all deaths across the Pacific archipelago and 40–60 per cent of total healthcare expenditure, according to a meeting on obesity prevention and control strategies.

Promotion of traditional foods has fallen by the wayside.

They are unable to compete with the glamour and flashiness of imported foods, in Pacific Islands may know what constitutes healthy eating but, as in many parts of the world, governments struggle to change people’s behaviour.

The occasion aimed to raise awareness of diabetes, its prevention and complications and the care that people with the condition need. Governments, non-governmental organisations and private businesses are encouraged to increase awareness of the disease, particularly among the general population and the media.

World Diabetes Day was first commemorated on November 14, 2007, and is observed annually.

Civil leaders around the world issue proclamations on World Diabetes Day to raise awareness of diabetes in their communities. Many events aim to raise money for research into treatments for diabetes. Exercising regularly and eating healthy diet will bring the best out of you.

Vinaka

NEELZ SINGH Lami