| The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has called | | | | diabetes as a chronic, debilitating disease that is costly |
| on governments worldwide, the United Nations and the | | | | and associated with severe complications. November |
| World Health Organization (WHO) to recognize the | | | | 14th is World Diabetes Day and the resolution |
| impact of diabetes on global health. IDF president, | | | | designated this day to be observed by the United |
| Professor Silink, is urging diabetes and other | | | | Nations every year. |
| non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular | | | | The World Health Organization has estimated that the |
| diseases and cancer, to be included in the United | | | | prevalence of diabetes worldwide was 171 million in |
| Nations Millennium Development Goals and | | | | 2000, but will reach 366 million. The IDF has estimated |
| development aid programs. These noncommunicable | | | | the current prevalence of diabetes worldwide to be |
| diseases are a growing social and economic burden to | | | | 246 million. The CDC estimates that about 24 million |
| both individuals and families as well as governments. | | | | Americans have diabetes, which includes those |
| The global epidemic of diabetes and other | | | | individuals who are not aware that they have been |
| noncommunicable diseases has hit the poorest | | | | diagnosed. |
| countries the hardest. Eighty percent of deaths from | | | | In developing countries, the social and economic burden |
| non-communicable diseases occur in low to | | | | of diabetes makes it difficult to improve standards of |
| middle-income countries. | | | | living and economic growth. Almost 80% of the people |
| Diabetes is a disease of disordered metabolism which | | | | living with diabetes live in developing countries. Within |
| results in abnormally high blood sugar levels. The high | | | | the next twenty years, the largest increase in diabetes |
| blood sugars are a result from the lack of effective | | | | is estimated to take place in developing countries if |
| insulin production or utilization. Serious complications | | | | preventative measure are not taken. |
| associated with diabetes include stroke, cardiovascular | | | | The mission of International Diabetes Federation is to |
| disease, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system | | | | promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure |
| diseases, hypertension and lower extremity | | | | worldwide. Its main activities include education for |
| amputations. | | | | people with diabetes and healthcare professionals, |
| In 2006 the United Nations passed UN Resolution 61 | | | | public awareness campaigns and the promotion and |
| 225: World Diabetes Day. The resolution recognizes | | | | exchange of information. |