The Unite for Diabetes campaign

The ‘Unite for Diabetes’ campaign was officially launched on the 10th June by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in Washington. The campaign aims to highlight the alarming rise of diabetes worldwide and to encourage government support for a United Nations Resolution on diabetes.

IDF is leading the global diabetes community in a concerted effort to secure the Resolution on or around World Diabetes Day (November 14) 2007. New data from the International Diabetes Federation show that more than 230 million people, almost 6% of the world’s adult population, now live with diabetes. Previous figures underestimated the diabetes threat and the total is expected to rise.

The number of people living with diabetes is expected to grow to 350 million in less than 20 years if action is not taken. Diabetes is increasing faster in the world’s developing economies than in developed countries.  Seven out of ten countries with the highest number of people living with diabetes are in the developing world. IDF predicts that by 2025 almost 80% of all diabetes cases will be in low- and middle-income countries. If nothing is done, diabetes will place severe economic, social and health burden on the countries that can least afford it. The disease threatens to subvert the gains of economic advancement.

“Diabetes is emerging fast as one of the biggest health catastrophes the world has ever seen. The diabetes epidemic will overwhelm healthcare resources everywhere if governments do not wake up and take action now," said Professor Martin Silink, President-Elect of IDF and leader of the Unite for Diabetes campaign.

Despite its alarming human toll, claiming as many lives as HIV/AIDS, there is an extraordinary lack of awareness of the global scale of the diabetes threat. The ‘Unite for Diabetes’ campaign aims to gain support from governments for a United Nations Resolution on diabetes in order to raise awareness of the disease and improve diabetes care globally.

The international community needs to act now

Diabetes is one of the major causes of premature death worldwide. Every 10 seconds a person dies from diabetes-related causes. The death rates are predicted to rise by 25% over the next decade. According to the World Health Organization, the disease could reduce life expectancy globally for the first time in 200 years.

Despite these alarming figures, little political effort has been made. “The international community needs to start taking the threat seriously. We must join forces in our fight against diabetes, otherwise we will jeopardize the health and lives of millions,” demanded Professor Pierre Lefèbvre, President of IDF and Chairman of the World Diabetes Foundation. “Diabetes can be effectively managed, its impact reduced and its onset in many cases prevented completely,” he added. Some 80% of type 2 diabetes is preventable by improving the living environment. This includes dietary changes and increased physical activity. Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent) however is not preventable. It predominantly affects youth and is rising alarmingly worldwide at a rate of 3% per year.

Reversing the current trend is not just a health issue. It will require a whole-of-government approach and the attention of the international community. A United Nations Resolution on diabetes will recognise the global burden of diabetes and focus world attention on the need for immediate action. IDF hopes that a UN Resolution on diabetes will prompt decision-makers to take preventive actions against the growing health challenge.

WDF supporting the Unite for Diabetes campaign

The WDF is proud to contribute and support the Unite for diabetes campaign aiming for a United Nations Resolution on diabetes in 2007. To support the awareness part of this campaign the WDF, IDF and NN Film Solutions joined forces to produce a 7 min. Film highlighting the key messages and essence of the campaign.

The film material is based on existing WDF film footage and projects captured around the world and supported by the latest key messages from the IDF Diabetes Atlas, upcoming third edition. “The WDF was proud to support the official campaign launch with this film at the IDF campaign press meeting in ADA Washington. The film was very well received in Washington by the media  and IDF’s corporate partners in the campaign. The fact that IDF will actively promote the Unite for Diabetes campaign with this film in all its communications, creating worldwide awareness and advocacy of the burden of diabetes is equally important. We sincerely hope our joint efforts will prevail, leading to a UN Resolution on diabetes on World Diabetes Day 2007”, elaborates Dr Anil Kapur, WDF Managing Director.

Visit campaign website

Watch the campaign film