November 14 is World Diabetes Day (WDD), the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign. This year it will be celebrated in a special way, as it marks 100 years since the discovery of insulin by a team of Canadian researchers.
WDD was initiated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1991[1]. 1] Since then, it has been celebrated every year on November 14, the birthday of Canadian physician and scientist Frederick Grant Banting, one of the co-discoverers of insulin with Charles H. Best. Since 2006, WDD has been recognized as an official United Nations day.
The theme for the next three years of World Diabetes Day by the International Diabetes Federation is access to diabetes care[2]. 2] It is intended to highlight the need for greater action to prevent diabetes and its complications. The core components of diabetes care include: access to insulin, oral medications, self-monitoring, education and psychological support, and healthy food and safe places to exercise.
While technological advances in diabetes continue to improve the quality of life for people with diabetes, millions of people living with diabetes around the world still do not have access to appropriate health care. Yet they require ongoing care and support to properly manage their disease to avoid complications.
The centenary of the discovery presents a unique opportunity to make meaningful change for all people living with diabetes around the world and the millions more who are at risk.
On November 14, monuments and buildings around the world will be lit up in blue to raise awareness about this disease that affects more than 537 million people. Diabetes Québec invites Quebecers to support people living with diabetes by lighting up their homes and buildings in blue and to wear blue clothing or accessories.
For more information about World Diabetes Day : https://worlddiabetesday.org
[1] Source : https://www.un.org/fr/observances/diabetes-day
[2] Source : https://worlddiabetesday.org/fr/