‘Eyes on Diabetes’ Will Focus on Screening

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2016 (November 14) is Eyes on Diabetes. The year’s activities and materials will focus on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.

Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. Globally, one in two people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, which makes them particularly susceptible to the complications of the condition, causing substantial disability and premature death, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) website reported.  

Diabetes is a huge and growing burden: 422 million adults are living with diabetes in 2016 and this number is expected to increase to around 642 million or one in ten adults by 2040.

By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present. Up to 70% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles, equivalent to up to 160 million cases by 2040.

With increasing levels of poor nutrition and physical inactivity among children in many countries, type 2 diabetes in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue leading to serious health outcomes.

A huge amount of money is currently spent on adults with diabetes. The global health spending to treat diabetes and manage complications was estimated at $673 billion in 2015.

The number of people with diabetes in low and middle-income countries will continue to grow, posing a threat to sustainable development. For example by 2040, the number of diabetics in Africa is expected to double.

Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.