Celebrated every year on 7 April, the World Health Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the creation of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and aims to stimulate reflection on important public health issues.

The WHO has estimated that over 350 million people worldwide have diabetes. In the European region the number is around 60 million and, with the prevalence of chronic disease on the increase, an estimated 11% of the European adult population will live with diabetes by 2040, that is roughly 70 million people. The WHO has predicted that by 2030, diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. Estimates indicate that there are 24,000 diabetics in Luxembourg (2015), according to the International Diabetes Federation. Today it is estimated that a third of diabetics remain undiagnosed.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not properly use what it makes. The result is a dangerous increase in sugar levels in the blood.

Diabetes can lead to many health complications including heart attacks, strokes, blindness, nerve and kidney damage and infections, which can be fatal.

Approximately 627,000 people died from diabetes, or issues that arose from diabetes, in the European region in 2015; more than 25% of them were aged under 60 years.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 that can be controlled by insulin (injections, pump) and Type 2 that can be controlled by tablets, diet and exercise.

While Type 1 diabetes can not be prevented, Type 2 diabetes (which represents 90% of all diabetes cases) is preventable in a high proportion. Simple measures of changing lifestyles can be effective in preventing or delaying this type of diabetes. Maintaining a normal weight, regular physical exercise and a healthy balanced diet can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes.

The Luxemburg Ministry of Health has announced several dates for courses being held at the Maison du Diabète (in FR, LU). More information on these can be found on www.ald.lu/fr. 

The World Diabetes Day is held annually on 14 November. The World Health Day 2016 (today) is focusing on raising awareness on diabetes in particular.