World Health Day 2016 - Halt the Rise: Beat Diabetes

• Diabetes is a chronic disease which is increasing at an alarming rate
• For India and other low- and middle-income countries, it is an ever growing concern
• It is preventable and treatable, though cannot be completely cured

The World Health Day is a global health campaign celebrated on April 7^th every year under the leadership of World Health Organization (WHO) to promote awareness amongst common people regarding health issues and concerns. WHO is a health organization working under UN which primarily addresses health issues on a global platform. The WHO organizes various events and programs on this day related to a particular theme on national as well as international levels.

The theme for this year’s campaign is "Halt the Rise: Beat Diabetes".

In India, with the title of the ‘diabetes capital of the world’, the disease has become an ever growing concern. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it means that your blood sugar is too high. In type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin and most likely need insulin injections on a regular basis in order to survive. In type 2 diabetes, your body does not make own insulin or is not able to use insulin well. The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, which is seen in nearly 90% of the cases.

The third type of diabetes is known as gestational diabetes. Even though it is a temporary condition, you need to be very careful about it as it could lead to some serious complications including birth defects, abnormally large babies and risk of caesarean section.

If not controlled well, then persistent high blood sugar could lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage and other diseases. However, many research results show that simple diet changes can be associated with a reduced risk/better management of type 2 diabetes.

Global Diabetes Burden:

• 415 million adults (1 in 11) currently diagnosed with diabetes in the world
• A diabetic dies every 6 seconds globally
• It is estimated that 642 million adults (1 in 10) will have diabetes by 2040
• Gestational diabetes affects one in seven births

World Health Day 2016: Main Focus

• Diabetes is a chronic disease, which is on a rapid rise and increasing at an alarming rate especially in low- and middle-income countries. WHO estimates that diabetes could be the 7^th leading cause of death by 2030 if not managed or treated promptly.
• Diabetes is preventable. By adopting some simple lifestyle measures, you could reduce the risk of diabetes. These include maintaining ideal body weight, eating a well-balanced diet, keeping active and fit by exercising regularly – all these have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes.
• Diabetes is treatable. Even though diabetes cannot be cured completely, it can be treated and controlled. Taking your diabetes medication(s) regularly, checking your blood glucose levels frequently and following special diabetes eating plan are some of the ways of treating it.
• For reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 1/3^rd by the year 2030, it is important to be able to treat diabetes effectively. To be able to achieve this, we need governments, employers, manufacturers, educators, civil society, media and individuals to work collectively and contribute their bit.

World Health Day 2016: Main Goals

• Increase awareness amongst the general public about the disease itself and its staggering burden and consequences, particularly in the low-and middle-income countries.
• The common symptoms for diabetes include thirst, hunger, weight loss, fatigue and blurred vision. However, it is important to understand that many people who have diabetes do not have symptoms. People should be educated to consult a health-care professional for thorough check up to confirm the presence or absence of diabetes.
• Plan effective and affordable actions to diagnose, treat and care for people with diabetes, as well as how to prevent it altogether.
• Launch the first global report on diabetes, which would emphasize the burden and consequences of diabetes to ensure effective prevention, improved surveillance and improved management of diabetes.
• Distribution of pamphlets to individuals, release of awareness posters on health care and conduction of special program on prevention of diabetes.

Smart Snacking is the Key to Manage Diabetes Better!

• Madhuri Ruia, Mumbai-based nutritionist and dietitian is of the opinion that we are surrounded by so much natural goodness, and so smart snacking is the key to better management of diabetes.
• Almonds contain many important nutrients including protein and healthy fats. Incorporating a handful of these nuts in your daily diet and exercising regularly can go a long way to help maintain a healthy life.
• Research shows that a daily serving of almonds (30 grams/23 almonds) may help improve both short-term and long-term markers of blood sugar control in those with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes.

Tips to Maintain Healthy Lifestyle

• Eat your way to good health. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
• Cut down the consumption of sugar and saturated fats.
• Exercise well to stay fit which includes at least 30 minutes of regular and moderate intensity activities on most days if not daily.

On this World Health Day, make sure to replace your unwholesome snacking habits with healthy ones and see a positive difference in your life!


Toxic Truth About Sugar and Diabetes - Infographics

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World Health Day 2014
The theme for World Health Day 2014 is vector-borne diseases; these affect more than half the world’s population.

Click to view more Infographics Reference:

1. http://www.diabetesatlas.org/

Source-Medindia