World Diabetes Day
When is World Diabetes Day? This holiday is always observed on November 14
World Diabetes Day is today, a November 14 holiday. It is an annual event that brings awareness to the scope of this global illness. Millions of people are inflicted with it. Here in America, it is getting increasingly worse, driven by poor diets and lack of exercise.
Diabetes has two forms. The first is Juvenile or Type 1 Diabetes. You are born with it or develop it in your youth. The second is Adult Onset Diabetes. This is known as Type II Diabetes.
Diabetes is a growing problem in children and adults. Many see it as a looming crisis in America, due to our diets, and more sedentary lifestyles. In the case of Type 2, it usually can be avoided or delayed with diet and exercise.
There are several goals for this special day. They include:
- To raise awareness of Diabetes -causes, effects, and complications.
- To provide conferences and educational programs about Diabetes, treatment, and management.
- To promote fundraising for treatment and cures. Bike hikes are a popular fundraising event for this day.
- To encourage people to make lifestyle changes to fight the onset of this disease.
- To seek a cure.
Diabetes Facts and Trivia
Here are some interesting diabetes facts and trivia:
- An estimated 38.4 million Americans currently have diabetes. And, over 97 million have prediabetes.
- Diabetes is the eight leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Over 90% of Type 2 diabetics are obese.
- In 1889, Oskar Minkowski discovered the link between diabetes and the pancreas when a dog from which he removed the pancreas developed diabetes.
- Before the discovery of insulin, surgeons seldom operated on diabetic patients with gangrene. The patients usually did not heal and the patient died.
- People of African descent and Hispanics have a much higher rate of Type 2 diabetes than Caucasians. Their death rate from diabetes is over 25% higher.
- It is the main cause of blindness.
- Studies suggest people with diabetes are more likely to contract Alzheimer’s and or dementia.
- In 1996, a 16-year-old girl with diabetes died at her home in Altoona, Pennsylvania, because her parents refused to provide her with medicine and relied on prayer instead. The parents were charged with manslaughter.
- In the United States, there are 86,000 lower limb amputations per year due to complications from diabetes.
How to Celebrate World Diabetes Day
Here are some ways you can participate in World Diabetes Day:
- Get yourself tested.
- Change your lifestyle. Get off the couch and do some exercise. Any exercise is better than none.
- Change your diet. Reduce the amount of high sugar, and high carbohydrate food and drink.
- Make diet and exercise a regular part of your daily life.
- Support others in their efforts to manage their diabetes.
Today's Quote
“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.” – – Voltaire
History and Origin of World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day on November 14th of each year, is a well-recognized special day. It is celebrated in many countries around the world. It has been celebrated globally since 1991. In 2006, United Nations Resolution 61/225 made this an annual United Nations holiday.
This holiday is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and the United Nations World Health Organization. This holiday is” in response to the growing concern of this escalating health threat.
This Day in History
Here are some things that happened on this day:
- “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville is published. (1851)
- The hydropower plant at Niagara Falls begins operation. (1896)
- Mamie Eisenhower, the wife of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady of the United States, was born on this day in 1896.
More November 14 Holidays
In addition to World Diabetes Day, here are more November 14 holidays and events we’re sure you will enjoy.
More About Today
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Recipe of the Day: Cabbage Casserole
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