World diabetes day falls on the 14th of November every year. It was first created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Foundation.
The theme for World Diabetes Day 2022 is ‘Education to protect tomorrow’, encouraging people to paint their nails blue for the day to raise awareness and show those living with Diabetes that they are not alone.
The ribbon colour for diabetes is blue as diabetes is symbolised by a blue circle which was created by the International Diabetes Federation, this was introduced in 2006 to give diabetes a common identity.
World Diabetes Day is an opportunity for everyone to raise awareness about diabetes, to understand what it is and to offer help in how to manage it and hopefully find a cure or prevention.
If someone is diagnosed with Diabetes every two minutes, getting an early diagnosis with diabetes is very important, it can save lives, prevent a medical emergency, and reduce the risk of life-changing complications later on.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease, which over time can lead to serious damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves. It is where a person’s pancreas stops producing enough insulin or any at all.
Diabetes is characterised by elevated blood glucose levels and is the body’s lack of ability to produce the hormone insulin which controls the blood glucose levels in the blood.
There are two types of diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes; this is an autoimmune disease that causes the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas to be destroyed, which stops the body from being able to produce insulin.
- Type 2 Diabetes; this is mainly lifestyle-related where there is too much sugar in the blood resulting in the body not using the insulin well.
Type 1 needs daily injections (usually a minimum of 4) of insulin, administered either by an injection or a pump.
Type 2 is usually is controlled by diet and tablet medication.
How to Celebrate World Diabetes Day
- Encourage employees to wear blue for the day.
- Encourage employees to paint their nails blue for the day (or longer if they wish) employers could even provide nail polish for employees to use.
- Hold a fundraising event.
- Provide information to employees on diabetes.
- Encourage employees to talk about diabetes and share their stories as this can help being able to relate to others.
- Take a blue circle selfie.
- Organise a fundraising event, such as a sponsored walk.
If you need any further advice or guidance on employee well-being, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0330 175 6601 or email us at info@cloverhr.co.uk
