A reminder of the campaign theme and messages

The day is just about here. As in previous years, it is important that we share a unified message. The theme selected for World Diabetes Day campaigns 2009 to 2013 is ‘Diabetes Education and Prevention.'

The campaign slogan this year is: “Understand Diabetes and Take Control”.

This is a message about empowerment through education. For governments, it is a call to implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes. For healthcare professionals, it is a call to improve knowledge. For the general public, it is a call to understand the serious impact of diabetes and know, where possible, how to avoid or delay the disease and its complications.

The key messages of the campaign are:

• Know the diabetes risks and know the warning signs
• Know how to respond to diabetes and who to turn to
• Know how to manage diabetes and take control.”

Four aspirational goals drive the campaign:

• Every government should implement effective strategies and policies for the prevention and management of diabetes.
• Every person with diabetes should receive education and support to help them manage their diabetes.
• Everyone should know the warning signs of diabetes, how to prevent or delay the complications and what action to take to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
• Every country should celebrate World Diabetes Day.

We are calling on the global diabetes community to lobby for action to make these goals a reality.