Living with Diabetes
World diabetes day 14 November 2024
Helping to raise the voices of the diabetes community
World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on 14 November. This date is the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the Canadian pharmacologist who co-discovered insulin, the treatment that has saved millions of lives around the world.
Diabetes day is a day to make some noise, raise awareness and shout about the things that matter to people with diabetes, shining a light on what it’s like to live with it day in, day out.
Diabetes is a complex serious condition, and oversimplifying what it means to live with diabetes, and why it develops, can contribute to damaging stigma.
If people knew how that comment made you feel, how many decisions you have to make in a day, or how important it is to see the ‘you’ beyond your diabetes, it could make a huge difference.
So this #WorldDiabetesDay..will you help us raise the voices of the diabetes community?
In the ‘get involved information pack’ (in the documents section on the right of this page) highlights stories from people with diabetes to raise awareness of life with diabetes and the impact of diabetes stigma, to start to change the mindset. It will also tell you how you can get involved.
On a local level, if you are living with diabetes, please take our short diabetes survey (bottom of this page) to tell us about your experiences of living with diabetes to help us to improve diabetes care across Mid and South Essex.
Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.
There are 2 main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – a lifelong condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
- Type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin properly
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, over 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.
All those with diabetes are entitled to an annual health check.
Have you had an annual health check?
*8 care processes
Annual health checks consist of the following tests and checks and are carried out in primary care:-
- HbA1c (Blood Tests)
- Blood Pressure
- Cholesterol Level
- Kidney Function
- Urine Albumin (urine test)
- Foot Surveillance (Foot check)
- BMI (Height and Weight)
- Smoking Status
And an additional 9th one of having your retinal screening (eye check) this screening is provided by public health.
Seeking Your Insights: Share Your Experience of Living with Diabetes
Join us in making a difference
As diabetes cases rise in our community, we would like to understand the reasons as to why this is the case. To do so, we are reaching out to residents who are living with diabetes to share their experiences.
Why Your Story Matters
Your story can help us find better ways to manage and reduce the impact of diabetes. Your insights are key to shaping a healthcare system that supports those with this condition.
Our Mission
We aim to understand the root causes of why diabetes cases are on the increase and improve early detection and management. With your help, we can support those with diabetes and build a healthier future for everyone.
How You Can Help
Please take a few minutes to complete our survey. Your input will help us create a community that better supports those living with diabetes.
Please complete our survey below. Survey closes 22nd November 2024
Reducing diabetes related blindness
Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI), Centre for Inclusive Community Eye Health (CICEH), School of Medicine, Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
Within Anglia Ruskin University’s Diabetic Retinopathy Awareness Program, they found that certain groups; South Asian, Black, Chinese, Arabic, and Polish communities, are at higher risk for sight-threatening retinopathy. This is due to factors like lower awareness of diabetes, language barriers, and less knowledge about the importance of regular eye screenings.
To address this, ARU have developed animated educational videos in more than a dozen languages to help improve diabetes awareness and management. These videos are making a significant impact in diverse communities across the UK, Nepal, and India. Our goal is to bridge the gap in diabetic health education and promote better health outcomes. Our videos have been well-received and featured in numerous diabetic workshops.
You can access these great resources by visiting the ARU website via the link below and explore the educational videos tailored to different linguistic and cultural groups.
Educational videos in a range of languages to help reduce diabetes related blindness
Preventing diabetes related blindness
Six ways to look after your eyes in 2024/25
Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute (VERI) and Centre for Inclusive Community Eye Health (CICEH) wrote a conversation piece around how to look after your eyes.
