November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, an annual campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation to raise awareness about the impacts of diabetes around the globe.
This year’s theme is “Access to Diabetes Care,” emphasizing the need for improved access to affordable treatment and prevention options.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 422 million people worldwide are living with diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths can be directly attributed to diabetes each year.
Consequently, medical experts are calling for increased action from health authorities to address this growing health crisis.
“The government needs to make diabetes treatment more affordable through subsidies and improving health insurance coverage,” said Dr. Kester Bamidele, an endocrinologist.
“The long-term complications of poorly managed diabetes like kidney failure, blindness and amputations are devastating. We need to help people access the medications and care they need,’ he added.
Esther Shogbesan, a diabetes educator, agrees, “there is an urgent need for more public awareness campaigns about the serious complications that can arise from diabetes. Many people are still unaware of their risks.”
Olabiyi Oduntan, a public health researcher, also recommends lifestyle changes, “along with improving medical access, we need to promote healthier diets and exercise to help prevent diabetes cases from rising even further.”
The medical experts cite recent WHO statistics showing that high consumption of sugary drinks, processed meats, refined grains, fried foods and high-fat dairy products increases diabetes risk.
“Simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference,” Oduntan said, adding, “We need to help people understand the steps they can take to avoid developing diabetes.”
