For World Diabetes Day (WDD), on 14 November 2017, the Ministry of Health and Luxembourg Diabetes Association (ALD) have launched an awareness campaign regarding diabetes prevention and screening.

The number of people with diabetes has almost quadrupled since 1980, an increase which is partly explained by the increase in the number of overweight and obese people and sedentary lifestyles. Whilst there are three types of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes accounts for almost 90% of diabetes worldwide. This type is especially common amongst overweight people over the age of 40.

Today, more than 25,000 people have diabetes in Luxembourg, mostly Type 2, and 1 in 4 adults with diabetes in the world is not diagnosed and therefore not treated. However, if the disease is diagnosed early, treatment can be put in place sooner, and the risk of severe and costly complications can be reduced.

As part of World Diabetes Day in the Grand Duchy, the theme of which this year is women and diabetes, the Ministry of Health and ALD have organised the 5k and 10k solidarity walk "10,000 against diabetes" for Saturday 11 November 2017 at "Veräinshaus um Widdem" in Kayl. The walk aims to raise awareness and promote physical activity and a healthy diet for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. This activity is organised in collaboration with the Luxembourg Federation of Popular Walking (FLMP) as part of the national programme "Gesond iessen, Mei bewegen". In addition to a "Fitness" buffet, participants in the walk will have the opportunity to learn about and calculate their diabetes risk as part of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) "Test2Prevent" project.

Moreover, there will be a series of conferences held on the topic of “women and diabetes” on the Diabetes Open Day on Sunday 12 November 2017 at Parc Belle-Vue Hotel. The first will take place at 14:30 on the subject "The experience of diabetes in the daily life of a woman politician" with an interview with Colette Flesch. Another, entitled "The specific needs of the diabetic woman" by diabetologist Dr. Roger Wirion will take place at 15:30. In addition, from 13:30, there will be various information stands, book sales (books on diabetes), diabetes equipment, an exhibition on technical aids and courses for the visually impaired, the presentation of a book for children with games and entertainment for children.

Moreover, an information and awareness stand for diabetes for women and its screening will be present on Tuesday 14 November 2017, at Robert Schuman Hospital, Kirchberg, from 11:00 to 16:00, and another stand for diabetes and its early detection will be present on the same day at the Northern Hospital Centre (Ettelbruck and Wiltz).