TEHRAN –Iran is marking the national diabetes week from November 9 to 15 with the theme ‘Living Well with Diabetes’.

Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood.

Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent or childhood-onset diabetes) is characterized by a lack of insulin production.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes) is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity.

The increase in global diabetes prevalence in recent years has made the disease the biggest epidemic in human history, the health ministry’s website quoted Koroush Etemad, an official with the health ministry, as saying. 

Currently, some 537 million adults (aged 20-79) are living with diabetes. The number is predicted to rise to 783 million by 2045.

More than 1.2 million children and adolescents in the world have type 1 diabetes. Every 5 seconds, a person dies of diabetes or its complications.

In 2021, more than 6.7 million people died of diabetes. Moreover, 541 million people in the world were estimated to have impaired glucose tolerance, which could progress into diabetes without effective and timely intervention.

In Iran, 7.5 million individuals are living with diabetes, the official noted.

At least, 14.15 percent of the population above 25 years old have diabetes, and their number is estimated to account for 7.5 million people. Approximately 75 percent of diabetics in the country are aware of their conditions.

The national diabetes week aims to raise public awareness of the impacts of diabetes on health; it also highlights the prevention, early detection, and treatment of the disease.

Each day of the week focuses on a specific topic.

Saturday, November 9, ‘Diabetes and mental health’

Sunday, November 10, ‘Diabetes and self-care’ 

Monday, November 11, ‘Pre-diabetes and prevention of diabetes’

Tuesday, November 12, ‘Diabetes and prevention of complications’

Wednesday, November 13, ‘Living well with diabetes’

Thursday, November 14, ‘Diabetes and the role of policy-makers’

Friday, November 15, ‘Diabetes and healthy lifestyle (nutrition and physical activity)’

Also, the health ministry has organized various programs to be held during the week such as conducting workshops and courses on diabetes both in person and virtually, holding programs targeting children and teenagers, organizing news conferences, as well as publishing articles in newspapers and magazines.

Diabetes, well-being 

Globally, an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The global prevalence of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7 percent to 8.5 percent in the adult population. This reflects an increase in associated risk factors such as being overweight or obese. Over the past decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. 

In addition diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications.

In 2007 General Assembly designating November 14 as World Diabetes Day. The document recognized “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and health-care education.”

It also encouraged Member States to develop national policies for the prevention, treatment, and care of diabetes in line with the sustainable development of their health-care systems.
Diabetes and well-being is the theme for World Diabetes Day 2024-26.

With appropriate access to diabetes care and support for their well-being, everyone with diabetes has the chance to live well.

Millions of people with diabetes face daily challenges managing their condition at home, work, and school. 

They must be resilient, organized, and responsible, impacting both their physical and mental well-being. 

Diabetes care often focuses only on blood sugar, leaving many overwhelmed. This World Diabetes Day, 14 November, let’s put well-being at the heart of diabetes care and start the change for a better diabetes life.

Taken actions to manage non-Communicable diseases

A project called ‘national health campaign” started on November 11, 2023, aiming to reduce deaths caused by non-communicable diseases.

In January, according to health minister report, a total of 40,023,330 people, that is 63 percent of the 70 percent target population, took part in the national health campaign aiming to be screened for high blood pressure and diabetes.

Out of the screened people, 763,069 were identified with probable hypertension, and 430,486 were identified with probable diabetes.

The project with the theme of “earlier awareness, better care” went on till January 20, ISNA reported.

The main objective of the campaign was to provide free health care for diabetic and hypertensive patients in the framework of the family physician program and to create an electronic health file for patients.

The Identified patients would be checked every month or every three months by healthcare workers and doctors to receive free tests and medicines if needed.

“About 83 percent of all deaths registered in hospitals are caused by non-communicable diseases. Around 300,000 people die from cardiovascular diseases every year. Some 32 percent of people over 18 years old have hypertension, and 60 percent are unaware of their high blood pressure. Some 30,000 deaths per year occur due to diabetes in the country, which are all significant cases,” former Health Minister Bahram Einollahi said. 

By implementing the national health campaign, half a million deaths from non-communicable diseases and 30,000 deaths from diabetes can be prevented, he added.

MT/MG