On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, celebrated each year on 14 November, the Ministry of Health and Luxembourg Diabetes Association (ALD) are spreading awareness of diabetes screenings.
The call for greater awareness of these screenings primarily aim to reduce the risks of complications associated with diabetes.
Since 1980, the number of people suffering from this illness has almost quadrupled, partly owing to an increased number of overweight and obese people and widespread inactivity. Moreover, 1 in 4 adults with type 2 diabetes is not diagnosed in Europe, thus meaning that 25% of sufferers are unaware of their illness and therefore do not receive treatment. However, if detected early, treatment can begin quickly and the risk of severe and costly complications can be reduced.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can not be cured, but can be treated and controlled. It is caused by a lack of the hormone insulin. In other words, diabetes prevents the body from properly using sugar as a source of energy which consequently accumulates in the blood and can cause significant complications such as coronary heart disease, kidney failure and blindness.
In Luxembourg, more than 25,000 people have diabetes. In the vast majority of cases, this is type 2 diabetes, which is strongly related to lifestyle. Worldwide, there are 425 million people affected by the disease and the number is growing, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), thus making it a pandemic illness.
This year's World Diabetes Day centres around the theme of "family and diabetes" and intends to draw attention to the important role that family can play in the prevention of type 2 diabetes (lifestyle changes) disease, early detection and management of the illness.
In Luxembourg, additional efforts are being made to raise the awareness of people with diabetes and health professionals about the beneficial effects of therapeutic education on the management of such chronic diseases. As part of World Diabetes Day, the Ministry of Health has thus developed new visuals in the form of posters that will be distributed to health professionals and will also provide sponsorship for information and awareness activities organised by the ALD, such as the annual "10,000 steps against diabetes" solidarity walk this Saturday 10 November (Leudelange Sports Hall), organised in collaboration with FLMP (fédération de la marche populaire) as part of the "Gesond iessen, Méi bewegen" initiative. The walk features 5km and 10km routes as well as a "Diabetes Go!" family rally along the 5km route. In addition to a "Fitness" buffet, participants will have the opportunity to learn about and calculate their risk of diabetes.
There will also be an information day and round table on diabetes taking place on Saturday 17 November at Hotel Parc Belle-Vue from 11:00. The event will feature information stands, diabetes equipment, interactive workshops on healthy eating and activities and games for children.
