Adrian Sanders

Liberal Democrats | Torbay

Local MP Calls for Diabetes Resolution at United Nations

Local MP, Adrian Sanders, has called for a United Nations Resolution to tackle the growing threat of Diabetes. A reception was held at Parliament on Wednesday 28th June to mark the UK launch of the campaign for a United Nations Resolution on Diabetes. The ‘Unite for Diabetes’ campaign aims to highlight the alarming rise of diabetes worldwide and to encourage government support for a United Nations Resolution on diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation is leading the global diabetes community in a concerted effort to secure the Resolution on or around World Diabetes Day (November 14) 2007.

New data from the International Diabetes Federation show that more than 230 million people, almost 6% of the world’s adult population, now live with diabetes. Currently, every ten seconds, 2 people are diagnosed with Diabetes globally and one person dies from diabetes-related causes. 

Previous figures underestimated the diabetes threat and the total is expected to rise. The number of people living with diabetes is expected to grow to 350 million in less than 20 years if action is not taken. Diabetes is increasing faster in the world’s developing economies than in developed countries. 

Adrian, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes said:

“We have already seen a huge increase in new cases of Diabetes in the UK and this is now happening all over the world, it is not an option to do nothing anymore. I am happy that the All Party Parliamentary Group will be campaigning for this United Nations Declaration.”

Seven out of ten countries with the highest number of people living with diabetes are in the developing world. IDF predicts that by 2025 almost 80% of all diabetes cases will be in low- and middle-income countries. If nothing is done, diabetes will place severe economic, social and health burdens on the countries that can least afford it. The disease threatens to subvert the gains of economic advancement.

Despite its alarming human toll, claiming more lives than HIV/AIDS, there is an extraordinary lack of awareness of the global scale of the diabetes threat. The ‘Unite for Diabetes’ campaign aims to gain support from governments for a United Nations Resolution on diabetes in order to raise awareness of the disease and improve diabetes care globally.

Diabetes is one of the major causes of premature death worldwide. . The death rates are predicted to rise by 25% over the next decade. According to the World Health Organization, the disease could reduce life expectancy globally for the first time in 200 years.

Reversing the current trend is not just a health issue. It will require a whole-of-government approach and the attention of the international community. A United Nations Resolution on diabetes will recognise the global burden of diabetes and focus world attention on the need for immediate action. IDF hopes that a UN Resolution on diabetes will prompt decision-makers to take preventive actions against the growing health challenge.