Diabetes occurs when the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach, does not produce enough of the hormone insulin, or the body can't use insulin properly. Insulin helps carry sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. Once inside the cells, sugar is converted into energy for immediate use or stored for the future, and this energy fuels many of our bodily functions.
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared November to be Diabetes Awareness Month stating, "To increase public awareness of diabetes and to emphasize the need for continued research and educational efforts aimed at controlling and curing this disease, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 44, has designated the month of November 1987 as 'National Diabetes Month.''' World Diabetes Day was established by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 1991 to raise worldwide awareness of the condition and is celebrated on November 14th of each year.
Flash forward 35 years later, an estimated 37.3 million Americans have diabetes with about 8.5 million of them undiagnosed. Worldwide, approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes with the total number of people living with diabetes is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. Reducing the diabetes burden across the globe requires a multi-faceted approach including patient education.
Reducing the diabetes burden across the globe requires a multi-faceted approach including education. You have questions. We have answers.
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