The aim of World Diabetes Day held on November 14 each year, is to increase awareness of the effects of diabetes and the complications caused by this disease, but what exactly is it? Diabetes is the common name for a range of conditions affecting the pancreas and is abillity to produce insulin in the gut. Type 1 Diabetes is the most dangerous and is usually managed with self administered insulin injections. Type 2 can be controlled with tablets and diabetes is controlled by dietary measures, weight loss, oral medication or injected or inhaled insulin.

However this is not where it ends. other longer term complications can arise such as foot and eye problems and vascular diseases. It is estimated that one in three Americans will develop diabetes at some point in their life.

The campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation. Civil leaders around the world issue proclamations on World Diabetes Day to raise awareness of diabetes in their communities. Many events aim to raise money for research into treatments for diabetes. Events include:

• Conferences, workshops and seminars for health and public policy professionals.
• The distribution of information to encourage at risk individuals to be screened for diabetes.
• Events to highlight diabetes in local and national media, including television, newspapers and Internet publications
• The World Diabetes Day bike races to increase awareness of diabetes.
• The distribution of geocoins for use in geocaching (a game for global positioning systems users). 

First commemorated November 2007

World Diabetes Day was first commemorated on November 14, 2007, and is observed annually.