Media Release (2 Pages)
5
November 2009
Bringing Light to Diabetes Across The World
Iconic monuments around the world will light in blue on 14 November, as part of a global
campaign for better understanding of diabetes and government strategies to control the
epidemic.
World Diabetes Day was made an official United Nations Day in 2007, the first time a
non-infectious disease has been recognised as posing as serious a threat to global health
as diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
Every ten seconds, a person dies of diabetes-related causes and two more people are
diagnosed with the condition. ¹
Diabetes WA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Wagstaff, said that World Diabetes Day is a
time for everyone to take action against diabetes in order to turn the trend around.
“Over 246 million people worldwide have diabetes, with this number set to reach 380
million by 2025 ¹, unless significant action is taken,” he said.
“World Diabetes Day is a call for governments around the world to implement policies
focused on the prevention and management of diabetes. Without effective, long term
strategies in place, the situation will escalate and continue to impact upon families and
health resources.”
“For the millions of people living with the condition, empowerment for self management
through education is vital while, for the wider community, education is needed to
increase understanding of the prevention of type 2 diabetes.”
The Swan Bell Tower
will be among the Perth icons illuminated blue to mark World
Diabetes Day, joining a global monument challenge which last year included more than
1,100 monuments, such as Christ the Redeemer in Brazil and the Sphinx in Egypt.
“With 90,000 people diagnosed with diabetes in Western Australia, effective policies and
strategies are needed now to continue to meet the growing need for education and
prevention programmes to support Western Australians with, or at risk of, the condition,
Mr. Wagstaff said.
<ENDS>
Media Contact
Tara Mulholland – Diabetes WA
M: 0408 933 803
P: (08) 9436 6211
E: tara.mulholland@diabeteswa.com.au
1
Diabetes Atlas, 3rd ed. International Diabetes Federation, 2006;1:19
NEWS 
