Diabetes: Action needed this World Health Day

The World Health Organisation was set up on April 7^th 1948. Every year since 1950, its anniversary is celebrated with ‘World Health Day’- the focus this year is on Diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

A lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. Of the two types, around 90% of all adults affected have type 2.

Type 1 is a chronic condition where the pancreas does not produce enough, if any insulin by itself.

Type 2 is usually found in adults and occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin, or doesn’t make enough.

In 1996 there were 1.4 million people living with the condition in the UK, but this is dramatically rising with an estimated figure of 5 million by 2025. Across the globe, there are currently 422 million adults affected- an alarming figure. This increase is why World Health Day is all about raising awareness of Diabetes this year. More than one in 16 people are now living with the condition in the UK.

If left untreated, Diabetes becomes progressively worse.

It is vital that you are diagnosed as early as possible.

Diabetes can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and even lower limb amputation. A key finding in the global report on diabetes carried out by the World Health Organisation is that the condition was the cause of 1.5million deaths in 2012. Many of these deaths were before the age of 70, and of those with type 2, they are largely preventable through healthy lifestyles.

If you or someone you know wants to understand Diabetes type 1 and type 2, the symptoms, causes and the treatments, we have an online training course ‘Supporting People with Diabetes Mellitus’. This course aims to raise awareness about the condition, help learners to understand the implications, and enable them to provide people with the support and guidance that they need.

Visit our website embrace-learning to see our catalogue of online courses on a wide range of Health and Social care topics or call us on 0161 928 9987 for more information.

If you want to get involved and help raise awareness of Diabetes this World Health Day, visit the World Health Organisation website to see how you can help.

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