Diabetes is now one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally. Evidence shows it is an epidemic in many low- and middle-income countries. There are now almost 180 million people with diabetes worldwide.Complications from diabetes - such as blindness, kidney failure and amputations - result in reduced quality of life and life expectancy and enormous health costs for many societies. Without effective prevention and control, diabetes will likely continue to increase globally.Latest World Health Organization (WHO) estimates indicate that the number of people with diabetes will rise to 370 million in 2030, of which 76% are expected to live in low- and middle-income countries.Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century.The project seeks to establish and communicate the global impact of diabetes.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has taken the lead in producing a document which provides the necessary information on the incidence of diabetes worldwide. The 1st edition of the Atlas was published in 2000.The 2nd edition was published in 2003 with financial support from WDF (WDF02-027). To access the electronic version of the Diabetes Atlas 2nd edition, please click here.This project enables the publication of the 3rd edition of the Diabetes Atlas planned for December 2006 at the 19th IDF World Congress in Cape Town. The Diabetes Atlas, 3rd edition, will build on the lessons learned from the previous publications.In addition to providing statistical information for more than 200 countries, the 3rd edition focuses on the following priority areas:• The epidemiology of diabetes and its complications• Diabetes health economics• Accessibility and availability of insulin and other diabetes supplies• Models of healthcare delivery• Diabetes and psycho-social disorders• Awareness about diabetes• Diabetes association development• Prevention and strategic action• Low-resource and under-served communitiesThe Atlas will be distributed to key target groups such as national diabetes associations and Ministers of Health and/or Social Affairs, WHO HQ, regional and country offices, WHO collaborating centres and other health organisations.Action to raise public awareness of the data in the Diabetes Atlas will include:• Reaching out to international and national media• Targeted distribution of the publication• Presence at select diabetes and health-related events• Promoting the publication to new target groups• Using IDF communications channels, e.g. IDF website and journals of member associations
• The Diabetes Atlas raised awareness of the burden of diabetes and its complications, • Influencing health policyresulting in adoption of UN Resolution 61/225 on diabetes• The Atlas stimulated research on prevalence, prevention, care etc. showing areas where data exist as well as the gaps in knowledge.