World Diabetes Day is fast coming upon us, Friday November 14th, 2008. The continuing theme this year is Diabetes in children and adolescents. …
Hello AMSA,
World Diabetes Day is fast coming upon us, Friday November 14th, 2008 The
continuing theme this year is Diabetes in children and adolescents
Diabetes is an increasingly prevalent chronic childhood disease According
to the International Diabetes Federation IDF Type 1 diabetes is growing
by 3 per year in children and adolescents, and at 5 per year among pre-
school children The IDF also estimates that 70,000 children under 15
develop type 1 diabetes each year almost 200 children a day At present
an estimated 440,000 children live with type 1 diabetes globally
Concurrently the IDF states that Type 2 diabetes which was once seen as a
disease of adults is now growing at alarming rates in children and
adolescents This two year campaign focused around children and diabetes
is in hope of increasing public awareness at all levels As medical
students here is our chance to join in
To represent the unified awareness and fight against diabetes the IDF has
introduced the World Diabetes Day logo the blue circle The IDF utilizes
the blue circle to represent life and health across cultures The colour
blue reflects the sky that unites all nations and is the colour of
the
United Nations flag The blue circle signifies the unity of the global
diabetes community in response to the diabetes pandemic
So you may ask: Whats the AMSA plan???
There are many things that can be done at the local chapter to spread the
awareness of children and diabetes Some ideas are: diabetes specific
health fairs with free screenings and information about the disease, poster
and leaflet campaigns, diabetes workshops and exhibitions and events with
fun activities or games for children and adolescents
You can also join in one of the many activities already planned in your
community or work in liaison with other community organized groups Some
examples of organized activities are: diabetes foot care in Philadelphia
PA, world diabetes day open house in Colorado Springs Colorado, Free
Screenings in Jersey Gardens NJ and the childrens diabetes support group
Redding CA For a full list of activities and locations follow this link:
http://wwwworlddiabetesdayorg/events/upcoming/2008-01-01–2018-12-
31?iframefilter0United20States
Further information, ideas and materials can be found at the IDFs world
diabetes day website at: http://wwwworlddiabetesdayorg/
Please let us know
if your chapter will be hosting or joining an event to
spread the awareness of diabetes and children
The countdown is on
Source:amsa.org
