Today is World Diabetes Day. Why, November 14th? Today celebrates the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the man who co-discovered insulin! Over the years we have worked with different diabetic foundations and feel very connected to the cause. Our most recent diabetes client was The Chris Dudley Foundation. Last year they began a new walk/run called Diabuddies Dash, which we designed the whole campaign for. We wish we could have participated in the Diabuddies Dash they hosted, however being in Oregon we were unable to attend. Since then, we have been wanting to host our own and what better day than on World Diabetes Day to do it. The Chris Dudley Foundation focuses on living active with diabetes following in the foot steps of founder Chris Dudley, NBA basketball player. Their objective is “to empower and inspire all people with diabetes to live active and dream BIG!” And we are doing just this – walking along the Hermosa beach.

This year’s theme for World Diabetes Day is ‘Women and Diabetes – Our Right to a Healthy Future.’ A theme that hits close to home with a majority female team and a team of moms and moms to be. Women and girls have the potential to drive diabetes prevention from the household and beyond. They should be empowered with easy and equitable access to knowledge and resources to strengthen their capacity to prevent type 2 diabetes, a type that in most cases can be prevented, in their families. 70{711affa2c6bb84f98c0ea8259eb1dff497f250c63645d937340474115af0a357} of premature deaths among adults are largely due to behavior initiated during adolescence, which women, as mothers, have a huge effect over the long-term status of their children.

Key facts about Women Living with Diabetes taken from World Diabetes Day –

– 199 million women live with diabetes that number will grow to 313 by 2040

– Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths each year.

– Half of all cases of hyperglycemia in pregnancy occur in women under the age of 30.

– Screening for diabetes and GDM should be integrated into other maternal health interventions.

– Women with Type 1 Diabetes have an increased risk of early miscarriage or having a baby with malformations.

– Women with Type 2 Diabetes are 10 times more likely to have heart disease

– 1 in 7 births is affected by gestational diabetes (GDM). Close to half of women with GDM will develop Type 2 Diabetes

Things that should be changed to help change the course of diabetes from World Diabetes Day –

– Health Systems must pay adequate attention to the specific needs and priorities of women

– All women with diabetes should have access to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies and self-management, education and information needed to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes.

– Screening for diabetes and gdm should be integrated into other maternal health services at primary healthcare level to ensure early detection, better care for women and reduced maternal mortality.

– Healthcare works should be educated in the identification, treatment management and follow up of diabetes during pregnancy.

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign dedicated to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue. The ultimate goal being living in a world without diabetes by promoting diabetes care, prevention and working towards cure worldwide.

The blue circle is the logo for diabetes. It signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic.

Go to both International Diabetes Federation as well as World Diabetes Day to learn more.

Also check out The Chris Dudley Foundation.