National Diabetes Week: Raising Awareness and Promoting Prevention for a Healthier Future!
From November 8 to 14, the health ministry is observing national diabetes week to enhance public awareness about the dangers of diabetes and promote effective management strategies. This initiative aims to improve the lives of individuals diagnosed with diabetes while emphasizing the urgent need for prevention, early detection, and treatment of this chronic disease.
Diabetes is a condition that profoundly impacts both individual health and societal well-being. It can affect people at all stages of life, including:
- Childhood
- Reproductive years
- Working age and productivity
- Old age
Preventing and managing diabetes is essential for maintaining a high quality of life throughout one’s lifespan.
This week is structured around daily themes to focus on various aspects of diabetes:
- Saturday, November 8: Diabetes across life stages
- Sunday, November 9: Diabetes and education
- Monday, November 10: Diabetes and media
- Tuesday, November 11: Diabetes and effective policy making
- Wednesday, November 12: Diabetes and nutrition
- Thursday, November 13: Diabetes and the workplace
- Friday, November 14: Diabetes and physical activity
According to reports from the health ministry, approximately 14.2 percent of adults in Iran are diagnosed with diabetes, a number that exceeds the global average. Additionally, over 9 million people in Iran are estimated to have prediabetes, with at least 500,000 new cases diagnosed annually.
Notably, at least 14 percent of individuals over the age of 25 are living with diabetes, translating to an estimated 7.5 million people affected. When including those with impaired glucose tolerance, the total number of people with prediabetes rises to about 20 million in this age group.
Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, which can lead to serious complications over time, affecting the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. The most prevalent type is type 2 diabetes, generally occurring in adults when the body either becomes resistant to insulin or fails to produce enough of it.
Over the past three decades, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has escalated significantly across countries of varying income levels. Type 1 diabetes, previously referred to as juvenile diabetes, is a chronic condition characterized by the pancreas producing little to no insulin. For those living with diabetes, access to affordable treatments, including insulin, is vital for survival.
The global health community has established a target to halt the rise of diabetes and obesity by 2025. The theme for this year’s World Health Organization (WHO) World Diabetes Day is “Diabetes across life stages,” which underscores the necessity for all individuals with diabetes to access integrated care and supportive environments that encourage health, dignity, and self-management.
World Diabetes Day serves as a global platform for individuals with diabetes, healthcare professionals, advocates, and policymakers to unite in raising awareness and taking action against diabetes.
Daily management of diabetes presents numerous challenges, especially in workplace environments, where individuals often face stigma, discrimination, and exclusion. Such challenges can adversely affect their overall well-being.
Remarkably, about 70 percent of people living with diabetes are of working age. Furthermore, approximately 75 percent of these individuals report experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions due to their diabetes.
This World Diabetes Day, on November 14, the International Diabetes Federation calls upon society to ‘Know more and do more for diabetes at work.’ This initiative aims to foster awareness and create supportive workplace environments for individuals managing diabetes.
By engaging in educational campaigns and promoting healthy lifestyles, we can collectively combat the diabetes epidemic and improve the quality of life for millions affected by this condition. It is crucial to recognize the importance of diabetes awareness and actively participate in initiatives that support prevention and management efforts.
