This Sunday Botica di Servicio hosts the Diabetes Run & Walk 2019. Join the run or walk of 5K or 10 K to spread awareness of diabetes. Be active and enjoy the great event along with locals. November is Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated globally on November 14 to raise awareness about both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is a term used to describe a group of diseases marked by high levels of sugar (or “glucose”) in the blood (also known as “hyperglycemia”). Depending on the type of diabetes, high blood sugar might be caused by a problem with how the body makes insulin, how the body uses insulin, or both. Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas and controls blood sugar level. Diabetes is a chronic condition, which means it does not go away. This disease affects many parts of the body and, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failures, and lower-limb amputation. Diabetes can be treated and managed with diet, exercise, and medication.
Aruba suffers one of the highest percentages of diabetes in the world; 16.24% of the Aruban population suffer from diabetes, versus 8.33% globally. Through the combination of data from various health care stakeholders it was estimated that 57% of the diabetes patients are currently unknown or hidden from within the health care system. The issue with these patients is that they emerge in the hospital in the late stages of their condition and have already become in need of radical treatment. (Source: PwC Netherlands) According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), approximately 21 million Americans have diabetes, and more people are being diagnosed every year.
The theme for diabetes awareness month and World Diabetes Day 2019 is Family and Diabetes. IDF is raising awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected, and promoting the role of the family in the management, care, prevention and education of diabetes. Families are urged to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and find out their risk of type 2 diabetes. November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best.
For more information about the event please have a look at the Facebook page Botica di Servicio. q
