On January 21, 2021, the WHO 148th Executive Board adopted a Decision on Addressing Diabetes as a Public Health Concern. The decision was proposed by Canada, Costa Rica, Eswatini, France, Indonesia, Jamaica, Norway, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Sudan, Uruguay and Vanuatu.
IDF welcomes the Decision and the recognition by Member States of the centenary of the discovery of insulin as a key moment for action on diabetes.
However, we believe that the Decision’s requests to Member States and the WHO Director General are not sufficient to revert the exponential increase in diabetes prevalence and mortality – which have grown by 300% and 70% respectively since 2000.
IDF regrets that the Decision does not include any relevant targets or policy actions, and the lack of reference to the development of a Diabetes Resolution for approval at the 74th World Health Assembly. We also regret the lack of mention to the Global Diabetes Compact, which WHO will launch in April 2021.
Action to prevent and control diabetes cannot wait. IDF and its network of over 240 national diabetes associations offer their expertise to Member States, to collaborate in improving the lives of people living with diabetes and those at risk of developing the condition.
WHO Decision on Addressing Diabetes as a Public Health Concern
