Millions Mark World Diabetes Day( BRUSSELS November 13 /- - Diab...),Health

BRUSSELS, November 13 /PRNewswire/ --

- Diabetes Activists Worldwide Organize Events to Draw Attention to Growing Pandemic With the Focus on Diabetes in Children and Adolescents

November 14 is the most important day of the year for the over 250 million people with diabetes worldwide. World Diabetes Day draws attention to the global diabetes epidemic and the need for action to improve care, prevent the disease in those at risk and find a cure. People on every continent, from countries as far apart as Australia and Uruguay, have organized activities to mark the day.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081113/328253 )

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced World Diabetes Day more than 15 years ago in response to the worrying rise of diabetes around the world. Today the picture is even more alarming, with the total number of people living with diabetes now estimated at over 250 million. The figure will continue to grow without significant action and investment to reverse the trend. One of only a handful of health days officially recognized by the United Nations, World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on 14 November-a date chosen to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting, who is widely credited with the discovery of insulin in 1921.

On World Diabetes Day, local, national and international events are organized to educate the public and inform policy-makers about the need to respond to the diabetes threat. Each year, the campaign centres on a theme established by the International Diabetes Federation. This year, the theme is diabetes in children and adolescents.

Diabetes in Children

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. It can strike children at any age, including pre-school children and even toddlers. Over 200 children a day develop type 1 di
'/>"/>