A Walk for change Global Diabetes Walk in Mombasa, Kenya. There are many ways to create awareness about diabetes. On World Diabetes Day 14 November, the world has a common day for drawing attention to the burgeoning problem of diabetes. Because we know that physical activity is closely linked to the prevention and management of diabetes, the World Diabetes Foundation has organised the Global Diabetes Walk since 2004. To our enjoyment, every year, a growing number of people and countries have joined the walk. Since 14 November, people have ceaselessly sent us reports and photos from their particular activities, and based on this information we are proud to announce another record breaking Global Diabetes Walk with: 343 registered walks in 52 countries with a total of 305,479 participants Why do they do it? But what makes 350 people take to the streets in the capital of mountainous Bhutan, carrying banners with texts such as: "Diabetes is a very serious and common health problem"? - Or what makes a small group of nutritionists gather 500 people for their city's first diabetes walk in Mazatlan, Mexico? - Or 1,000 people to join the "Give me 5 for diabetes" Walk/Run in Puerto Rico? - Not to speak of the village "bush" walk in Uganda where 10,000 people walked while singing and carrying handwritten messages like "Diabetic wounds do not heal" - or the 167,847 people who took to the streets in India alone? The list is endless, but the answer is simple: involvement. People get involved because they are concerned about their health, and the Global Diabetes Walk is one way of showing the concern. The beauty is that it is done collectively on the same day across the globe. A sign of public activism Dr. Anil Kapur, Managing Director of the World Diabetes Foundation describes the immense participation of over 300,000 people in the latest Global Diabetes Walk as a sign of public activism. And public activism is needed for shaping and changing the agenda of public health. "Today, the unhealthy lifestyle which drives the epidemic of diabetes is linked to an economic interest. But there is no economic interest connected to a healthy lifestyle - or at least only one driven by smaller organisations," he says. "Once people understand this and see their own health affected, they get involved and raise their voices. The more activism, the greater the chance of catching the attention of the policy makers, and ultimately this increases the chance of more funding to prevention and healthy lifestyle. In this context, the Global Diabetes Walk is a huge instrument of change," he concludes. The Global Diabetes Walk 2010 will take place again on World Diabetes Day 14 November. Until then, we invite you to view these inspiring snapshots of walks from all over the world: www.globaldiabeteswalk.net

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