International Diabetes Day 14.11.2024
Diabetes is a chronic, non-communicable metabolic disorder characterized by elevated
blood sugar levels. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, affecting the
heart, blood vessels, eyes, nerves, and kidneys (WHO, 2024).
Type 2 diabetes is often classified as a lifestyle disease, with risk factors including genetics, poor diet, physical
inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and environmental factors
(Tamankag, Valkendorff & Lämsä, 2024). According to WHO, around 422 million people
worldwide are living with diabetes. It is also known to be the most prevalent chronic
illness in Europe. In Finland alone, approximately 400,000 individuals have been
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, 55,000 with type 1 diabetes, and nearly 20% of pregnant
women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes (Terveyskylä, 2023).
Projections indicate that by 2045, the global population affected by diabetes will reach 783 million, marking
a staggering 46% increase (International Diabetes Federation).
Both type 2 and gestational diabetes are largely preventable through lifestyle
modifications, including healthier diets, increased physical activity, weight
management, reducing tobacco use, managing stress, and improving sleep habits.
At HEED Finland, we stand in solidarity with millions of people worldwide in raising
awareness of diabetes as a critical public health challenge. Believing that knowledge is
empowering, we are dedicated to ensuring that immigrants understand the concept of
prevention through regular health checks, recognizing symptoms of diabetes, referring
clients to the hospital for further tests and diagnosis of the disease, and self-care
management. This year, the International Diabetes Association’s theme, “Diabetes and
Wellbeing,” along with what we believe at HEED Finland, your health is your wealth,
emphasizes our commitment to providing individual culturally sensitive health guidance
and well-being events taking into consideration, each client’s physical, emotional,
mental, and spiritual health.
References:
Tamankag E, Valkendorff T, Lämsä R. (2024) African immigrants’ health behaviors related
to non-communicable diseases. A Qualitative Systematic Review
World Health Organisation. https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-
sheets/item/diabetes (Assessed 12.11.2024)
World Health Organisation https://www.who.int/health-
topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1 (Assessed 12.11.2024)
Terveyskylä:https://www.terveyskyla.fi/diabetestalo/diabetes/diabetes-
sairautena/mika-on-diabetes/kuinka-monella-on-diabetes (Assessed 12.11.2024)
International Diabetes Foundation. https://idf.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-facts-
figures/ (Assessed 12.11.2024)