Nov 14 – World Diabetes Day – Diabetes: The Stark Reality
Diabetes is a huge and growing burden: 415 million adults living with diabetes in 2015 expected to increase to around 642 million (or 1 in 10 adults) by 2040! In Gibraltar we have well over 2,500 people living with Diabetes.
1 in 2 adults with Diabetes is undiagnosed. Most of these cases are Type 2. Many people live with Type 2 Diabetes for a long time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present, causing substantial disability and premature death.
Diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.
1 in 3 people currently living with Diabetes will develop some form of damage to their eyes that can lead to blindness.
However, these complications can be prevented or delayed by maintaining blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as close to normal as possible.
Many complications can be picked up in their early stages through screening, so that treatment can be given to prevent them becoming more serious.
Increasing levels of poor nutrition and inactivity among children means Type 2 in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue!
12% of total global expenditure on health is currently spent on adults with Diabetes.
542,000 children have Type 1 Diabetes an autoimmune disease which is for life and not preventable.
Every SIX seconds, a person dies from Diabetes.
What can we do about it?
Diabetes Gibraltar’s core aims are to raise awareness so that people realise that a healthy lifestyle and early screening is crucial, to educate and support those already living with the condition so that they might attain the best possible management, to campaign for better medical services and to fundraise for a cure.
Up to 70% of Type 2 Diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles.
Join us on Monday 14th November 2016 at Casemates from 7.00 – 8.00 p.m.
The Moorish Castle will be lit up in blue as a beacon of hope for a cure for diabetes, as a testimony to the power of our combined efforts to make a difference and to provide a strong visual statement to focus attention on the diabetes cause.
Programme of events:
Address by Minister for Health
Bouncy Castle
Music
Presentation by winners of Miss Glamour
Specially choreographed dance for Diabetes
Circle of Life with Sparklers
“Light up the Castle”
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