On World Diabetes Day, WHO has announced the Global Diabetes Compact, a comprehensive and inclusive approach to support countries in implementing effective programmes for the prevention and management of diabetes.

This year’s World Diabetes Day (WWD) came during a global pandemic which has already taken the lives of well over a million people. People with diabetes are paying a particularly high price. Not only do they have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease and death when infected, but many are having difficulty accessing the treatment they need due to disruptions to essential health services.

The pandemic has exacerbated a situation that was already extremely concerning. WHO estimates that 6% of the world’s population has diabetes. The total number today is four times what it was in 1980. What’s more, the number is rising most rapidly in low-and-middle-income countries, which are the least well-equipped to provide treatment.

The gravity of the situation demands a strong, united response from all organizations working in the areas of monitoring, prevention and treatment of diabetes.

On WWD, WHO has announced the Global Diabetes Compact, a comprehensive and inclusive approach to support countries in implementing effective programmes for the prevention and management of diabetes.

The Compact will bring together in one package all WHO materials available for the prevention and management of diabetes, both existing and new. On the prevention side, particular focus will be given to reducing obesity, especially among young people. On the treatment side, emphasis will be on improving access to diabetes medicines and technologies, in particular in low- and middle-income countries.

Key to the success of the Compact will be alignment and united action across all sectors  ̶  public, private and philanthropic.

According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) the theme for World Diabetes Day 2020 is NURSES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE FOR DIABETES.

In 2020, the World Diabetes Day (WDD) campaign focuses on promoting the role of nurses in the prevention and management of diabetes.

Education and funding are vital to support healthcare professionals in the fight against diabetes and the world needs 6 million more nurses to help fight this deadly disease.

One in 10 people are living with diabetes worldwide and the WDD campaign aims to be the platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year and the global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions  to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue.

The theme of World Diabetes Day 2020 is The Nurse and Diabetes. The campaign aims to raise awareness around the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)*:

• Nurses accounts for 59% of health professionals

• The global nursing workforce is 27.9 million, of which 19.3 million are professional nurses

• The global shortage of nurses in 2018 was 5.9 million. 89% of that shortage is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries

The number of nurses trained and employed needs to grow by 8% a year to overcome alarming shortfalls in the profession by 2030.

WHO estimates that the total investment required to achieve the targets outlined in the Social Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 stand at 3.9 trillion USD – 40% of which should be dedicated to remunerating the health workforce.

Investing in the health workforce also has the capacity to impact other SDGs on eradicating poverty, ensuring inclusive and equitable education, achieving gender equality through the employment and empowerment of women, and promoting decent work and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

IDF is speaking to policy-makers and nurses directly about the steps that can be taken to ensure health professionals are best prepared to support people living with diabetes in their communities – through better education and funding.

As a highly valued member of the community, nurses do outstanding work to support people living with a wide range of health concerns. People who either live with diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition need their support too.

People living with diabetes face a number of challenges, and education is vital to equip nurses with the skills to support them. IDF wants to facilitate opportunities for nurses to learn more about the condition and receive training so that they can make a difference for people with diabetes.

Nurses play a key role in:

• Diagnosing diabetes early to ensure prompt treatment.

• Providing self-management training and psychological support for people with diabetes to help prevent complications.

• Tackling the risk factors for type 2 diabetes to help prevent the condition

There remains a significant need for more education and funding to equip nurses around the world with the skills to support people living with diabetes and those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Healthcare providers and governments must therefore recognise the importance of investing in education and training. With the right expertise, nurses can make the difference for people affected by diabetes.

WDD is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.

WDD was created in 1991 by IDF and WHO in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. WDD became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922.

On behalf of people living with, and affected by diabetes, IDF is requesting national governments to recognise and advance the role of nurses in diabetes care.