World Health News

Read the original article at this link:

http://www.idf.org/wddindex/toolkit/EN/IDFWDD_interactive_toolkit_static_EN.pdf

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The theme of World Diabetes Day 2016 is Eyes on Diabetes. The year’s activities and materials will focus on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications.

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Screening for type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications.

  • Diabetes is a huge and growing burden: 415 million adults were living with diabetes in 2015 and this number is expected to increase to around 642 million or one in ten adults by 2040.
  • One in two adults with diabetes is undiagnosed.
  • Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present.
  • With increasing levels of poor nutrition and physical inactivity among children in many countries, type 2 diabetes in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue leading to serious health outcomes.
  • 12% of total global expenditure on health is currently spent on adults with diabetes.
  • The number of people with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries will continue to grow, posing a threat to sustainable development.

Screening for diabetes complications is an essential part of managing all types of diabetes.

  • Of the 415 million adults worldwide living with diabetes in 2015,1 over one third will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy – a complication of diabetes that can lead to vision impairment and blindness.
  • The management of diabetes and its complications begins in primary health care and this should include screening for diabetic retinopathy
  • Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can prevent vision loss and reduce the impact of diabetes on individuals, their carers and society.
  • Careful management of diabetes and screening for diabetic eye disease can help prevent visual impairment and blindness.

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