World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on 14th November. Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia). Over the past decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation. Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. In addition diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with medication, regular screening and treatment for complications. Background Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation with support from WHO in response to growing concerns about the health and economic threat posed by diabetes, World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006. In 2007 General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/61/225 designating 14 November as World Diabetes Day. The document recognized “the urgent need to pursue multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, and provide access to treatment and health-care education.” World Diabetes Day 2025 The theme for World Diabetes Day 2025 is Diabetes across life stages. The theme of this year’s WHO World Diabetes Day, "Diabetes across life stages,” recognizes that every person living with diabetes should have access to integrated care, supportive environments and policies that promote health, dignity and self-management. This campaign emphasizes the importance of a life-course approach to diabetes prevention, management and overall well-being. Key messages include: Diabetes can affect people at every stage of life; From childhood to older age, diabetes prevention and care efforts must be integrated across life stages; and Supporting well-being and self-care empowers people with diabetes at every age. World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about diabetes as a critical global public health issue. Global Diabetes Coverage Targets In 2022, WHO Member States endorsed 5 global diabetes coverage targets to be achieved by 2030: 80% of people with diabetes are diagnosed; 80% of people with diagnosed diabetes have good control of glycaemia; 80% of people with diagnosed diabetes have good control of blood pressure; 60% of people with diabetes of 40 years or older receive statins; and 100% of people with type 1 diabetes have access to affordable insulin and blood glucose self-monitoring. Source : World Health Organisation (WHO) Related resources All about Diabetes National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD)