Protect your family this World Diabetes Day

This year’s World Diabetes Day on 14th November is raising awareness of the impact that diabetes can have on the whole family.

Families are urged to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and find out their risk of developing type 2 diabetes this World Diabetes Day on 14th November.

The results of research published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF - organisers of World Diabetes Day) found that many parents would struggle to spot the serious life-long condition in their own children.

A survey carried out by the IDF last year found that four out of five parents would have trouble recognising the warning signs of type 2 diabetes, while one in three would not spot them at all.

The IDF said the findings underlined the need for education and awareness to help people spot warning signs of type 2 diabetes early.

The theme of family and diabetes for World Diabetes Day this year, is to raise awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected as well as promoting the role of the family in the management, care, prevention and education around diabetes.

• There are more than 425 million people with diabetes worldwide
• Diabetes concerns every family
• It is a leading cause of blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure and early death
• Every 8 seconds someone dies from diabetes
• Diabetes is serious but much can be done to reduce the impact
• The majority of type 2 diabetes is preventable and complications can be avoided with good management and care

#worlddiabetesday

A statement from the IDF said: “A lack of knowledge about diabetes means that spotting the warning signs is not just a problem for parents, but is an issue impacting a cross-section of society. This is a major concern, due to the signs being milder in type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form of the condition, responsible for around 90% of all diabetes. One in two people currently living with diabetes are undiagnosed. The vast majority of these have type 2 diabetes.

“Left untreated or unmanaged, diabetes can lead to life-changing complications. These include blindness, amputation, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. Diabetes was responsible for four million deaths in 2017.”

“This November, IDF is urging people to test their diabetes knowledge and assess their risk of type 2 diabetes through an online quiz and assessment.”

Find out more at the World Diabetes Day website  

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