Early action can prevent complications and bring more people into care.
By Zaheeruddin M Babar
Observed each year on 14 November, World Diabetes Day brings governments, health workers, community groups, and people living with diabetes together around a disease that affects families in every region. The date marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, whose work with Charles Best led to the discovery of insulin. The observance is a reminder of that scientific milestone, but its purpose is firmly present-day: to help people recognise risk, reach diagnosis sooner and obtain the care that prevents avoidable illness.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in 2024, close to one in nine adults. About 252 million of them are estimated to be unaware they have it. If current trends continue, the number of adults with diabetes could reach 853 million by 2050. These are estimates, not a count of every person, but they show why public awareness and accessible testing matter. The burden is not shared equally: most adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries, where access to diagnosis, medicines and regular follow-up can be harder to secure.
For 2026 and 2027, World Diabetes Day is centred on “Early action on diabetes.” This year’s campaign focus is early diagnosis and reducing risk. The message is straightforward: do not wait for serious symptoms before seeking advice and make practical changes early when risk is identified. Early action can mean a blood-glucose test, a conversation with a health professional, support to improve daily habits, or consistent treatment after diagnosis.
The theme also asks health systems and communities to make action possible. People need understandable information, convenient testing, and a clear route from screening to care. A test without follow-up is not enough; nor is advice to “be healthier” if affordable nutritious food, safe places to walk or essential medicines are out of reach. Employers, schools, local organisations, and governments can help create conditions in which prevention and timely care are realistic choices.
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which blood glucose, or blood sugar, remains too high because the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. Insulin helps glucose move from the bloodstream into cells for energy. Over time, persistently high glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves, raising the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and foot problems. Good care can reduce these risks and help people live full lives.
There are several forms. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It is not caused by eating sugar or by a person’s lifestyle, and it cannot currently be prevented. People with type 1 need insulin to survive. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or cannot produce enough to keep glucose in a healthy range. Its risk is influenced by many factors, including age, family history, genetics, weight, physical activity, and social conditions. Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose first recognised during pregnancy; it needs clinical care and follow-up because it can affect both parent and baby and signals higher future risk of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually and may cause no obvious symptoms for years. That quiet progression is one reason screening matters, especially for people with risk factors. These include a family history of diabetes, previous gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, excess weight, limited physical activity, older age, and a history of elevated blood glucose. Risk varies by person and population; people should ask a qualified health professional when testing is appropriate rather than relying on a checklist to diagnose themselves.
Possible symptoms include unusual thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss. They may appear quickly or be mild. Anyone experiencing these signs should contact a healthcare professional promptly. Severe symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, deep or rapid breathing, confusion or marked drowsiness can indicate a medical emergency and require urgent care. A blood test, rather than symptoms alone, confirms diagnosis. Screening and testing recommendations differ by country and individual risk, so a clinician can advise on the right test and timing.
Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed, particularly among people at increased risk. No single food, supplement, or routine guarantees prevention. A sustained pattern of supportive habits is more useful than a short-lived, restrictive programme. The aim is not blame: biology, income, work schedules, neighbourhood safety, and access to healthcare all shape what choices are available.
Regular movement helps the body use insulin more effectively. The World Health Organization advises adults to aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, adjusted to ability and health. Brisk walking, cycling, dancing, active commuting, household tasks, and sport can all contribute. Starting with short sessions and gradually increasing time is sensible for people who have been inactive. Those with chronic conditions or concerns about exercise should seek tailored advice.
Food choices can support health without requiring a special “diabetes diet.” Build meals around vegetables, fruit, beans and lentils, whole grains, nuts where suitable, and other minimally processed foods. Choose water or unsweetened drinks more often, and limit sugary drinks, excess added sugar, highly processed foods, and foods high in unhealthy fats or salt. Portions and culturally familiar foods matter; practical substitutions are usually more sustainable than strict bans. A dietitian or clinician can help adapt advice to local foods, pregnancy, other medical needs, and budget.
If a person is above a healthy weight for them, even modest, sustainable weight loss may lower type 2 risk. This should be approached with compassion and professional support where possible, not stigma. Avoiding tobacco and addressing blood pressure and cholesterol also protect long-term health. Adequate sleep and stress support matter for general wellbeing, though they do not replace proven prevention steps or clinical screening.
World Diabetes Day is also an opportunity to replace myths with useful facts. Diabetes is not simply the result of eating sweets, and people living with it should not be blamed. Type 1 cannot currently be prevented. Type 2 risk can often be reduced, but lifestyle alone does not explain every case and is not a substitute for prescribed treatment. These distinctions make awareness more accurate and help reduce stigma that can discourage people from seeking testing or support.
For people already diagnosed, early and continuous care is essential. Depending on the person, management can include glucose monitoring, medication or insulin, nutrition support and regular review of blood pressure, cholesterol, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and feet. Treatment plans are individual: no one should start, stop, or change medicines based on a campaign article or social media advice. People should discuss questions and barriers with their care team, including difficulty affording medicines or supplies. Families can help by listening, joining appointments if invited and supporting routines without policing food or assigning blame.
Public institutions have a role as well. Primary care should offer clear information, risk assessment, testing, and reliable follow-up. Communities can host accessible screening and education, while schools and workplaces can make healthy food and movement easier. Governments can improve access to essential medicines and diagnostics, train health workers, and design neighborhoods where active travel is safe. Early action is most effective when it is supported by services, not left to individuals to manage alone.
On World Diabetes Day, people can take one useful step: learn their family and personal risk, ask a clinician whether testing is appropriate, choose a regular activity they can maintain, or help someone already diagnosed access respectful care. Community events can share reliable information and connect people to local services. A blue circle, the campaign’s global symbol, can open a conversation, but lasting awareness means making the next step clear and achievable.
Diabetes is a growing global challenge, yet its consequences are not inevitable. Prevention, early diagnosis, and good ongoing care can reduce harm. The 2026 theme, “Early action on diabetes,” is a call to move from concern to timely testing, practical support, and dependable treatment. Acting early can improve health for individuals and strengthen the communities around them.
