Diabetes focus on women

THE EDITOR: Four hundred and fifteen million people have been diagnosed with diabetes worldwide, a figure estimated to grow to 642 million if nothing is done.

Every year, World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14 with this year’s theme being Women and diabetes — Our right to a healthy future.

Globally, one in ten women are living with diabetes, a total of 199 million women. This is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040. Two out of every five women with diabetes are of reproductive age while diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women — 2.1 million deaths a year.

Women with Type 2 diabetes are almost ten times more likely to have coronary heart disease than women without the disease, while women with Type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of early miscarriage or having a baby with malformations.

This year, the International Diabetes Federation campaign will promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk for or living with diabetes to essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information they require. This will enable them to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes and strengthen their capacity to prevent type 2 diabetes.

The TT Diabetes Association will be hosting its annual walk on Saturday, from 9 am to noon, at the paved area of the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

ASHA SAMAROO
chairperson, San Fernando branch, Diabetes Association of TT