World Diabetes Day: 14 November 2007-Unite for Diabetes

Official Event Website|
Videos|Posters|Booklets|
Press Release (in Spanish)

Videos
Speech from the Director:
English | Spanish | Portuguese
From the Countries:
Argentina 1 | 2
Bolivia
Brazil 1 | 2
IDF South and Central America
Guatemala
Jamaica
Paraguay

Posters (in PDF)
PAHO: English | Spanish|
Bilingual English-Spanish|
Bilingual Animated Image|
 International Diabetes Federation (IDF):
English | Spanish |
Portuguese | French
Country Posters:
Bolivia | Paraguay

IDF Booklets (in PDF)
English | Spanish | French

PAHO Diabetes Page

A Focus on Children

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated worldwide on November 14. Last year, the United Nations approved a resolution recognizing WDD as an official UN celebration.

This year, WDD is focused on diabetes in children, with the message that “lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and being physically active are effective in delaying and, in many cases, preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes, improving glycemic control, and reducing the risk of developing complications in children with type 1 diabetes.”

Children can present type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes appears most frequently among children and adolescents and requires insulin treatment. Sometimes type 1 diabetes appears in the form of ketoacidosis and it is necessary to diagnose and treat the disease quickly. Children with type 1 diabetes can live a healthy life if they and their families are properly educated and the proper treatment is followed.

Overweight and obesity are increasingly affecting children and adolescents, resulting in more children being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a disease until recently associated with adults. Research demonstrates that type 2 diabetes can be prevented by reducing body weight through diet and physical activity.

PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, in a message commemorating WDD, said “our message is directed to children and adolescent as well as their parents and teachers, to emphasize that obesity and type 2 diabetes can be prevented by maintaining an active lifestyle and a healthy diet”.

Research also demonstrates that the risk of premature mortality and some complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be decreased by improving glycemic control. A healthy diet and increased physical activity can benefit children with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

PAHO is joined by its partners across the Americas in celebrating WDD. People living with diabetes across the Region expressed their support of PAHO’s celebration and offered testimonies about their life with diabetes, and the importance of this celebration:

• Dr. Alfredo Privado, Minister of Health of Guatemala, a person with diabetes, says “ I personally recommend a healthy diet and exercise and to follow an adequate treatment adequate for better glycemic control”. Dr. Privado's message

• Lurline Less, chairperson of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica-who has had diabetes for 20 years-expressed that “The proper management of diabetes enables a person to live a normal and healthy life.”   Lurline Less's message

• Susana Feria de Campanella, Uruguay, Chairperson of the South Central America (SACA) Council of the International Diabetes Federation, noted that: “ On December 20^th of 2006, the Organization of the United Nations approved an unprecedented  resolution; it is the first time that a UN resolution recognizes the importance of a chronic noncommunicable disease.” Susana Feria de Campanella's message

• Children with diabetes from Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay also expressed their testimony of how they can live a normal life with diabetes for PAHO’s celebration of World Diabetes Day. In Argentina, the Association CUIDAR (which means "CARE") organizes community activities to increase awareness about diabetes in children. Children and adolescents from Argentina expressed how they help less fortunate kids who also live with diabetes.
  Country Videos:   Argentina-CUIDAR 1 | 2 | Bolivia | Brazil 1 | 2 |
  Paraguay | Country Posters: Bolivia | Paraguay

• Don Francisco, the famous TV host from Hispanic television, says “when I arrived at the age of 60, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes … that makes me care more about my weight, be careful about my food intake, and be rigorous in practicing sports.” Don Francisco's video 

More information on childhood diabetes can be found in the articles from Diabetes Voice offered on the main WDD website.