Diabetes is a deadly disease. Each year, almost 4 million people die from diabetes- related causes. Children, particularly in countries where there is limited access to diabetes care and supplies, die young.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a build-up of excess acids in the body as a result of uncontrolled diabetes, is the major cause of death in children with type 1 diabetes. With early diagnosis and access to care, the development of severe DKA should be preventable.
- Insulin was discovered more than 85 years ago. Today children in many parts of the world still die because this essential drug is not available to them.
- Children with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar regularly to help control their diabetes. This monitoring equipment is often unavailable or not affordable.
- In Zambia, a child with type 1 diabetes can expect to live an average of 11 years. In Mali, the same child can expect to live for only 30 months. In Mozambique the child is likely to die within a year.
The World Diabetes Day campaign in 2008 aims to:
- Increase the number of children supported by the IDF Life for a Child Program.
- Raise awareness of the warning signs of diabetes
- Encourage initiatives to reduce diabetic ketoacidosis and distribute materials to support these initiatives.
- Promote healthy lifestyles to help prevent type 2 diabetes in children.
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