World Diabetes Day
Update: 2013-11-14World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.
World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself is celebrated on November 14, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
Diabetes Education and Prevention is the World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013.
Where is it celebrated?
World Diabetes Day is celebrated worldwide by the over 200 member associations of the
International Diabetes Federation in more than 160 countries and territories, all Member States
of the United Nations, as well as by other associations and organizations, companies, healthcare
professionals and people living with diabetes and their families.
How is it marked?
The global diabetes community including International Diabetes Federation member associations,
diabetes organizations, NGOs, health departments, civil society, individuals and companies
develop an extensive range of activities, tailored to a variety of groups.
Activities organized each year include:
Radio and television programmes
Sports events
Free screenings for diabetes and its complications
Public information meetings
Poster and leaflet campaigns
Diabetes workshops and exhibitions
Press conferences
Newspaper and magazine articles
Events for children and adolescents
Monument lightings
Human blue circles
Walks
Runs
Cycle Race
Political Events
Is there a theme?
Each year World Diabetes Day is centred on a theme related to diabetes. Topics covered in the
past have included diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle, and the costs of diabetes.
Recent themes include:
2005: Diabetes and Foot Care
2006: Diabetes in the Disadvantaged and the Vulnerable
2007-2008: Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
2009-2013: Diabetes Education and Prevention
The World Diabetes Day logo
The World Diabetes Day logo is the blue circle - the global symbol for diabetes which was
developed as part of the Unite for Diabetes awareness campaign. The logo was adopted in 2007 to
mark the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution. The significance of the
blue circle symbol is overwhelmingly positive. Across cultures, the circle symbolizes life and
health. The colour blue reflects the sky that unites all nations and is the colour of the United
Nations flag. The blue circle signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response
to the diabetes pandemic.
Source: IDF Official Website