World Diabetes Day
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What Is "World Diabetes Day" on November 14?
November 14 is "World Diabetes Day." Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the WHO, and officially recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2006, this international day takes its date from the birthday of Canadian physiologist Frederick Banting (born November 14, 1891), who discovered insulin. Around the world, awareness campaigns use the blue circle as a symbol to highlight the importance of diabetes prevention, treatment, and care, with landmark light-ups and events held globally. According to the IDF, more than 500 million people worldwide live with diabetes, and the number is still rising.
The Basics of Diabetes
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels remain chronically high due to insufficient insulin secretion or reduced insulin effectiveness. In Japan, type 2 diabetes (the form linked to lifestyle) accounts for the large majority of cases, with type 1 (autoimmune) and gestational diabetes making up the rest. Early symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, but the condition often progresses without symptoms. It's diagnosed using a combination of criteria such as a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher and an HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher. Japan's 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey estimated that about 10 million people are "strongly suspected of having diabetes," with another 10 million or so in the "cannot rule out diabetes" (prediabetes) group.
Risk of Complications
Sustained high blood sugar leads to microvascular damage (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy) as well as macrovascular damage (heart attack, stroke). Retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness related to diabetes, and nephropathy is the number one cause of patients starting dialysis. Because the risk of complications grows the longer a person has the disease, managing blood sugar from an early stage is especially important.
Prevention and Treatment Options
Lifestyle Improvements
| Area | Recommended approach | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Diet | Moderate carbohydrates and fat, more dietary fiber, avoid overeating | Better blood sugar control |
| Exercise | 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week plus strength training twice a week | Improved insulin sensitivity |
| Weight | If overweight, start by losing a few percent of body weight | Lower risk of onset |
Medication and Medical Management
Medications such as metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists are effective at lowering blood sugar. Insulin therapy is essential for type 1 diabetes and may become necessary in type 2 depending on the patient's condition. Treatment is tailored to each person with reference to guidelines such as those of the Japan Diabetes Society, and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may be used.
What You Can Do on World Diabetes Day
Check your blood glucose and HbA1c levels from your health checkup. If your results are above the normal range, you may be in the borderline (prediabetes) range, so consult a doctor early. If you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight, make sure not to skip your annual checkup. Visit a diabetes specialist certified by the Japan Diabetes Society and get guidance from a registered dietitian. Sharing #WorldDiabetesDay on social media is also a simple way to support awareness efforts.
Summary
World Diabetes Day on November 14 commemorates Dr. Banting's discovery of insulin and is a UN-recognized international awareness day. Lifestyle improvements are known to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and early management helps prevent complications. Protect your health with accurate knowledge.