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| Pointing the way against a lifestyle disease
Diabetes is one of the most widespread lifestyle diseases, yet it often goes undetected. To raise awareness of the problem, major monuments all over the globe will be blue-lit on World Diabetes Day | |||
| 13 Nov 2008
, Munich
: Seven million cases undetected About five million Germans have diabetes. The worldwide figure is 180 million. And the WHO, the World Health Organization, predicts that the figure could even double by 2025. This makes diabetes mellitus one of the most common chronic diseases. And it can cause serious damage to the eyes, nervous system, heart and circulatory system, and kidneys. Not to mention expenses. And what's scariest is that many people are completely unaware that they have it. In some age groups, for every diabetic diagnosed, another case goes undiscovered. The number of undetected cases in Germany is estimated at seven million. Poor diet and inadequate exercise are already causing more and more children to develop type 2 diabetes – once known as "adult-onset diabetes". Being unaware of the condition can have serious consequences, because of course undiscovered diabetes is also impossible to treat. Allianz Arena to be lit in blue November 14 has been set aside as World Diabetes Day to draw attention to the problem of diabetes and the sharp rise in diabetes patients. More than 500 monuments all over the globe will be lit in blue. Blue stands for planet Earth, the United Nations, and the worldwide "Unite for Diabetes" campaign that is being coordinated by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF). Like such other famous locations as the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls, and the Sydney Opera House, the Allianz Arena will also be blue-lit on November 14. The Munich soccer stadium joined the World Diabetes Day campaign last year. Practical support for diabetics The IDF and the WHO chose November 14, the birthday of Sir Frederick Grant Banting, the discoverer of insulin, as World Diabetes Day in 1991. The date has been officially recognized by the United Nations since 2006, making diabetes mellitus the second disease to have its own UN-designated day of world awareness, after HIV/AIDS. The theme for 2008 is "Diabetes in Children and Adolescents." For several years now, Allianz has provided a special support program for diabetics who have private health insurance with the company. The facilities include telephone advice, placement in qualified training programs, grants for auxiliary equipment, and a regular informational newsletter. |
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