World Diabetes Day is an international observance held annually on November 14 to raise global awareness of diabetes, improve the living conditions of individuals with diabetes, and promote public understanding of disease prevention and management. The date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Canadian scientist Dr. Frederick Banting, who played a key role in the discovery of insulin. The day was initiated in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and was officially recognized as a global health day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006.
History
The growing global burden of diabetes as a public health issue prompted international awareness efforts toward the end of the 20th century. In response, the IDF and WHO organized the first World Diabetes Day in 1991, aiming to educate societies about the causes, symptoms, complications, and prevention strategies of diabetes. In 2006, UN General Assembly Resolution 61/225 officially recognized the day as an international awareness day, emphasizing that diabetes is a leading cause of death, blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, and lower limb amputations.
Symbol and Color
The international symbol of World Diabetes Day is the blue circle. This emblem, colored in blue to represent the sky and the United Nations flag, symbolizes global unity. The blue circle signifies worldwide solidarity against diabetes, as well as life and hope.
Themes and Slogans
To enhance and support diabetes awareness, the main theme from 2021 to 2023 was “Access to Diabetes Care,” with a particular focus in 2023 on the slogan “Know Your Risk, Know Your Responsibility.” These initiatives aimed to ensure that individuals with diabetes receive the necessary care and support, promote early diagnosis, and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes onset. The theme for 2024–2026 is “Diabetes and Well-being,” and in Türkiye, one of the slogans used is “Stay Outside the Circle.” These themes provide a strategic focus for global and national efforts in diabetes management and prevention.
Global Significance and Prevalence
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from insufficient or ineffective insulin. It is considered a widespread chronic disease globally. One in ten adults worldwide lives with diabetes, the majority of whom have type 2 diabetes. A significant portion of individuals with diabetes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, lack access to essential care and treatment. In Türkiye, a substantial part of the adult population lives with diabetes, and prevalence continues to rise.
Diabetes is not only an individual health issue but also has significant social, economic, and health system implications. World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity for countries to strengthen strategies for diabetes prevention and treatment in national health policies.
Blood Glucose Measurement Devices (Anadolu Ajansı)
Awareness and Educational Activities
Each year, World Diabetes Day is organized around a specific theme to highlight different aspects of diabetes, such as diabetes education, early diagnosis, healthy lifestyles, or quality of life for people living with diabetes. IDF campaigns focus on raising awareness of risk factors and the importance of early diagnosis. Health authorities, associations, and non-governmental organizations conduct educational events, screening programs, walks, and lighting campaigns. In Türkiye, annual awareness activities are organized by healthcare institutions, universities, and civil society organizations.
Diabetes Control and National Programs in Türkiye
Diabetes control efforts in Türkiye began with the signing of the St. Vincent Declaration in 1992 and were implemented as the National Diabetes Program in 1994. Currently, under the Türkiye Diabetes Program, objectives include policy development for effective diabetes management, prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes, treatment of diabetes and its complications, care and treatment for childhood diabetes, prevention of type 2 diabetes and obesity, and monitoring and evaluation of the program. The program is also supported by the Healthy Nutrition and Active Life Program, aimed at preventing obesity.
