IDF launches new Diabetes Atlas to mark World Diabetes Day

To mark World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has reiterated the need for urgent action in reducing worldwide diabetes rates.
Data published in the eighth edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, launched in Brussels, reveals that 425 million adults worldwide are currently living with diabetes. Ninety per cent of cases are believed to be type 2 diabetes.
Particularly, the IDF highlighted the disproportionate impact of diabetes on women. Over 200 million women live with diabetes, and millions face barriers in accessing effective care, diagnosis and treatment.
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme is ‘Women and diabetes – our right to a healthy future’, and combating these barriers is a pressing mission for the IDF.
IDF President Dr. Shaukat Sadikot said: “Women and girls are key agents in the adoption of healthy lifestyles to prevent the further rise of diabetes and so it is important that they are given affordable and equitable access to the medicines, technologies, education and information they require to achieve […] healthy behaviours.
“IDF is calling for all nations affected by the diabetes pandemic to work towards the full implementation of the commitments that have been made. We have both the knowledge and the expertise to create a brighter future for generations to come.”
Over 700 million are estimated to be affected by diabetes by 2045, while more than 350 million adults are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
“There is urgency for more collective, multi-sectoral action to improve diabetes outcomes and reduce the global burden of diabetes. If we do not act in time to prevent type 2 diabetes and improve management of all types of diabetes, we place the livelihood of future generations at risk,” added Dr. Nam Cho, IDF President-Elect and Chair of the IDF Diabetes Atlas committee.
Editor’s note: While these worldwide rates of diabetes are undeniable alarming, an exceptional amount of good is being done through people with diabetes eating a healthy low-carb diet and getting regular exercise.
People who join our award-winning Low Carb Program, which was launched on World Diabetes Day in 2015, are losing weight, improving their blood sugar levels, reducing their dependency on medication and even putting their type 2 diabetes into remission.
Greater awareness of the benefits of cutting out starchy carbohydrates and processed food is pivotal in fighting the diabetes epidemic and essential towards creating the brighter future the IDF is calling for.