Is today celebrated the World Diabetes Day, under the motto: Actuemos against Diabetes now!

-half of those affected by diabetes have diabetic retinopathy, leading cause of legal blindness in adults, and the frequency of myocardial infarction and cerebral thrombosis is two to three times higher in these patients. In addition, diabetes is responsible for one in five (20%) of the amputations of lower limbs that occur in Spain, at the time as diabetic nephropathy is responsible for 30% of the dialysis and kidney transplant

-five key messages focused the world day for the Diabetes 2011: On the occasion of world day, the Foundation for Diabetes has created a microsite on this day ( see ), in which collects all the relevant information concerning

– likewise, information on the World Diabetes Day which may be of interest to the media is housed in the press room ( see )

Madrid, November 2011- in Spain, type 2 diabetes affects more than 5 million Spaniards, while 43.5% don’t know. These figures are increasing due to, among other factors, sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity.

On the other hand, type 1 diabetes is between 10 and 15 per cent of the total number of diabetes and is the second most common childhood chronic illness. In Spain, about 30,000 children under the age of 15 years have diabetes and about 1,100 new cases occur each year.

The current living habits are affecting an increase in type 2 diabetes around the world, while chronic complications associated with a poor control of the disease, such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy, continue to increase. In fact, it is estimated that half of those affected by diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, leading cause of legal blindness in adults, and the frequency of myocardial infarction and cerebral thrombosis is two to three times higher in these patients. Diabetes is responsible for one in five (20%) of the amputations of lower limbs that occur in Spain, at the time as diabetic nephropathy is responsible for 30% of the dialysis and transplant kidney.

In this regard, in order to raise awareness among the general population about the importance of the prevention of diabetes, people with diabetes of the benefits of a good control and the health authorities of the priority that is to launch initiatives surrounding the disease, for 20 years is celebrated World Diabetes Day each November 14established by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (who), in response to the alarming increase in cases of diabetes in the world.

In 2007, United Nations held for the first time this day after the adoption of the resolution in December 2006 the World Diabetes Day, which the existing World Diabetes Day became an official day of the health of the United Nations.

On the occasion of world day, the Foundation for Diabetes has created a microsite on this day ( see ), in which collects all the relevant information. Likewise, the information on the World Diabetes Day which may be of interest to the media is housed in the press room of the its website ( see )

we act against the diabetes now!

In this Edition, which is held under the motto to act against diabetes. now!, the International Diabetes Federation has focused his campaign on five key messages:

-diabetes kills: 1 person every 8 seconds, 4 million people each year.

-diabetes does not discriminate: affects all ages, rich and poor and to all the countries

-not cannot continue to ignore diabetes: 4 million lives lost each year, 1 million of amputations per year, billion lost revenue and productivity.

-essential to life care is a right, not a privilege: education, medicine, technology.

– Choose health: Demande food and healthy environments, stay active and eat well. You can make a difference.

Foundation for Diabetes

La Diabetes Foundation is a charitable non-profit and of general interest which is intended to contribute to the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications, as well as to the improvement of the quality of life for people with diabetes. This develops educational, training, research activities and social awareness throughout the territory of the State Spanish.