Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day 2025
Each year, November marks Diabetes Awareness Month. In 2025, throughout the month, IDF Europe organised a series of initiatives and events to raise awareness of diabetes and the policy actions that are needed to ensure the wellbeing of PwD and those at risk. Key activities include a social media campaign outlining IDF Europe’s calls to action, a mobile health unit and blood glucose testing events across several days, and a series of events organised under the umbrella of our new vision: “From early detection to cure – transforming life with diabetes through innovation, leaving no one behind.”
Discover our WDD initiatives!
On November 12, IDF Europe held a hybrid event at the European Parliament in Brussels, hosted by MEP Peter Agius and organised with young people from our YOURAH Network, to address the mental health challenges faced by youth living with Type 1 diabetes.
Read the event report
On November 13, IDF Europe held an event at the European Parliament in Brussels, co-hosted by MEP Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral and MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen, to highlight the need for a comprehensive women’s health strategy that addresses the specific challenges women face when living with diabetes.
Read the event report
From November 12 to 14, on the occasion of World Diabetes Day 2025, IDF Europe set up a mobile health unit in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, offering free health checks to help people understand their risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Read the event reportWe wish to thank Abbott, Lilly, Medtronic and Novo Nordisk for their support to IDF Europe World Diabetes Day initiatives
Past Campaigns:
In November 2024, IDF Europe organised a series of initiatives and events to raise awareness of diabetes and the policy actions that are needed to ensure the wellbeing of PwD and those at risk. Key activities included a social media campaign outlining IDF Europe’s call to action and testimonials from the community, blood glucose testing events at various EU institution buildings, two events at the European Parliament (EP) hosted by members of the MEPs Mobilising for Diabetes Interest Group (MMD) and a webinar celebrating the one-year anniversary of the IDF Europe-WHO Europe Declaration.
- EP Event, November 12, 2024: “Re-thinking health in the EU for improved access to quality diabetes prevention and care” | Read the event report
- EP Event, November 14, 2024: “Re-thinking health in the EU for a sustainable future” | Read the event report
IDF Europe Advocate Award
On World Diabetes Day 2024, during the event at the European Parliament, IDF Europe awarded its first Advocate Prize to Type 1 diabetes Advocate, Lea Leleta. The award celebrates her outstanding and innovative advocacy work for the diabetes community.
In 2023, IDF Europe conducted a communications campaign throughout November which highlights some key events and milestones for people living with diabetes in Europe, including the first anniversary of the European Parliament Diabetes Resolution and the Summit organised in collaboration with WHO Europe which will held on November 28-29.
Social media campaign
On November 1, marking the beginning of Diabetes Awareness Month, IDF Europe launched a social media campaign to raise awareness of the policy actions that need to be implemented so that people living with diabetes and those at risk can live long and fulfilling lives.
Read more here.
Testimonials from people living with diabetes
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, and ahead of the IDF Europe/WHO Europe Summit on Accelerating Action on Diabetes Commitment, people living with diabetes shared their perspectives on the actions still required to bend the curve on diabetes and improve their quality of life.
Listen to their messages here.
Messages from IDF Europe Board Members
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, and ahead of the IDF Europe/WHO Europe’s Summit on Accelerating Action on Diabetes Commitments, IDF Europe Board Members share their messages on the actions still required to bend the curve on diabetes and improve quality of life for all people living with diabetes across Europe.
Listen to their messages here.
Blood glucose testing events
On multiple days in November, IDF Europe is also holding blood glucose testing events at several EU institutions buildings to raise awareness of diabetes and the importance of screening and early detection.
#docday°
Each year, on the occasion of WDD, IDF Europe participates in a joint online event with #dedoc to celebrate the diabetes community.
Read more about the event here
In 2022, World Diabetes Day focuses on the need for better access to quality diabetes education for healthcare professionals and PwD.
As part of our efforts to raise awareness of the urgent need for action and to mobilise political support for a new European Parliament Diabetes Resolution, around World Diabetes Day 2022, we held a series of events alongside key diabetes stakeholders, focusing on all aspects of diabetes prevention and management, including the importance of diabetes education for PwD and HCPs:
- European Parliament Lunch Debate: “Towards a new Diabetes Resolution: The Time to Act is Now!” – October 12 (Read more here)
- Online joint event IDF Europe – #dedoc – November 14 (watch the recording of the event here)
- European Parliament Breakfast Symposium on World Diabetes Day: “Improving diabetes care for more resilient healthcare systems” – November 15 (Read more here)
- Exhibition at the European Parliament in Strasbourg: “Centenary of the Discovery of Insulin” – November 21-24 (visit the virtual exhibition here)
Video message from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola
To help us raise awareness of the urgent need for action, on the occasion of WDD, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and several members of the MMD group as well as people living with diabetes, shared their messages calling for political support for a new Diabetes Resolution to improve the quality of life and health outcomes of the 32 million people in the EU living with diabetes.
- Click here to watch the video from President Metsola.
- Click here to watch the videos from MEPs and people living with diabetes on the occasion of World Diabetes Day 2022.
We warmly thank President Metsola and all MEPs who showed their commitment to supporting people living with diabetes in Europe.
On November 23, the European Parliament adopted a landmark diabetes resolution
- Click here to read more about the adoption of a new Diabetes Resolution.
We thank our partners, Air Liquide, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Diabetes for their support to IDF Europe World Diabetes Day events and to our call for a new European Parliament Diabetes Resolution.
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In 2021, the year of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, the theme is access to diabetes care. To inform policymakers, raise awareness and promote impactful actions, IDF Europe engaged in several activities.
#dedoc° – IDF Europe event
For the first time, and in collaboration with IDF Europe, #dedoc° hosted an international #docday on World Diabetes Day 2021. Moderated by #dedoc° founder Bastian Hauck, the event was officially opened by Niti Pall, IDF Europe Chair, who spoke on the importance of this special day, which commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of insulin by Dr. Frederik Banting. WDD #docday° then held a virtual tour of Europe, during which #dedoc voices and IDF Europe’s Young Advocates talked about their celebration of World Diabetes Day in this special year.
Download the report of the event here.
Webinar: ACCESS TO DIABETES CARE – IF NOT NOW, WHEN? – Innovative financing for sustainable access to quality diabetes care in Central and Eastern Europe – How far are we from Universal Health Coverage?
Watch the recording of the webinar and read the report here
Webinar: ACCESS TO DIABETES CARE – IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
How are digital technologies and AI improving access to diabetes care?
Watch the recording of the webinar and read the report here
On World Diabetes Day 2020 we are celebrated the role of the nurse in diabetes care
Diabetes remains a huge and ever-increasing challenge in Europe. We need integrated care for better health services for European citizens. Diabetes needs to be higher up on the political agenda and diabetes nurses deserve greater recognition in Europe.
We believe that a holistic approach to care will benefit both health workers & people living with diabetes. This requires a greater focus on disease risk reduction approaches, management & follow-up, including mental health services.
Read more about World Diabetes Day 2020 here
No family is untouched by diabetes – World Diabetes Week 2018
World Diabetes Day in 2018 and 2019 focused on the theme “Family and Diabetes”.
In 2018, World Diabetes Day coincided with the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg. In the regional office, we enjoyed the opportunity to raise our voice not only in Brussels but also in Strasbourg, through the organisation of simultaneous and parallel awareness raising activities.
Read more about the events here
World Diabetes Day 2017: IDF Europe events at EU institutions
On World Diabetes Day 2017, IDF Europe organised several events at EU institutions including high-level debates and exhibitions to facilitate a discussion between MEPs, the Commission and IDF Europe members on how to develop a European strategy to prevent diabetes and complications that arise from it.
- 26 September 2017 – Committee of the Regions
- 14 November 2017 – European Parliament, Strasbourg
- 13 to 15 November, European Commission, Brussels