World Diabetes Day, 14th November

World Diabetes Day was first created in 1991 by IDF (International Diabetes Federation) and WHO. It became an official United Nations Day in 2006. November 14^th was chosen because it is the birth date of Sir Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin with Charles Best in 1922. The blue circle logo is a symbol of this day and it signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes.

World Diabetes Day is an annual campaign which aims to emphasize the importance of the treatment and prevention of diabetes. The 2021-2023 campaigns have had as a topic “Access to Diabetes Care” and have been dedicated to its prevention and diabetes-related complications. This year, the campaign’s motto is “Know your risk, Know your response” and focuses on the importance of having access to correct information, knowing the risk of type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications. It is aimed at three target groups:

• People at risk from type 2 diabetes: Educating them about their risks and supporting them in preventive measures, seeking medical help to get diagnosed early.
• People living with diabetes: Raising awareness and access to the correct information and best available medicines to prevent other diseases-related complications.
• Healthcare professionals: Providing them with sufficient training and resources, so they can detect complications early and prescribe the patient with the best possible treatment.

Initiatives and calls to action

• The Nailing Diabetes challenge is the UK’s campaign for 2023. The key message is to let people living with diabetes know they´re not alone. You can help raise awareness by painting your nails blue, the campaign’s colour, and sharing  your photo on the  social media community page.
• You can share your personal diabetes story and write a letter to your national Health Minister or to the United Nations in Geneva asking them to dedicate more human and financial resources to support WHO to reach their targets by 2030. You can use the letter template available in English, French and Spanish.

Classroom activities and teaching resources

1. EALTHY lesson plan: Diabetes tests (listening and speaking, B2-C1)
2. Downloadable fact sheets, guides, and posters with information for a patient, about prevention and symptoms
3. WHO fact sheet about diabetes (available in several languages)
4. Test about type 2 diabetes (available in several languages)
5. Quiz Discover diabetes
6. Video Access to diabetes care – If not now, when?
7. Education platform Understanding Diabetes available in English, French and Spanish with free interactive 10-20 minutes courses on various aspects of diabetes care and management, e. g. An Introduction to Diabetes, The Basics of Blood Glucose Control, Insulin and How to Use It Safely
8. Posters and patient guides: Symptoms of diabetes, Newly diagnosed with diabetes, Your guide to type 2 diabetes, Understanding your risk type 2 diabetes

Resources

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/world-diabetes-day

https://worlddiabetesday.org/

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-diabetes-day/2023

https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-diabetes-day-2023/