Perspectives on Diabetes Care
This is the official blog of the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists where we share recent research and professional opinions on diabetes care and education.
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World Diabetes Day
Nov 4, 2014, 01:00 AM
November is National Diabetes Month, which includes November 14th- World Diabetes Day, led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). This year’s message is Healthy Living and Diabetes.
I have a background working in public health and it was a great platform for getting the message out in the community. If you are in private practice or in a hospital setting where you see patients in smaller groups or individually you may think that this message may not be applicable because you are going over similar themes in your education. I think you should consider putting up some signs in your office and promoting the day next week. Why?
Diabetes is a daily struggle and it’s somewhat comforting to know that people all over the world share your challenge. If you start to study diabetes treatment around the world, you will quickly see how blessed we are in the United States to have such great care and resources available. Of course it can always be improved, but if you are reading this you are touching lives as a diabetes educator and your services are such wonderful gift to your patients! Sharing the world diabetes day message also adds an extra layer of importance to our education messages.
The logo of World Diabetes Day is a blue circle standing for the “unity of the diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic.” On the website, you can download the web graphics and logos to be used in publicizing the day.
Here are the key messages from the IDF:
1. Investing in a healthy breakfast will reduce the global burden of diabetes, and save billions in lost productivity and healthcare cost.
2. Ensuring access to an affordable and healthy breakfast is essential to reducing the global burden of diabetes.
Some activities that you can do to help promote the day:
1. Share the message of world diabetes day through your social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and your website
2. Organize a healthy breakfast event in your community
3. Light up a monument blue in your community
4. Wear a blue circle pin or t-shirt to show your support
5. Form a human blue circle in your community to make a statement
For more information, visit the IDF website.