The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Sun Life have announced a two-year partnership to support action on type 2 diabetes risk reduction. Running until December 2027, the collaboration will support the World Diabetes Day campaign in 2026 and 2027 and the update of the IDF type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool.
The partnership builds on Sun Life’s support for the launch of the risk tool in 2017. Since then, the need for early risk awareness has become even more urgent. Today, 589 million adults are living with diabetes worldwide, more than 90% of whom have type 2 diabetes. A further 635 million adults have impaired glucose tolerance, placing them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Without further action, the number of people living with diabetes is projected to rise to 853 million by 2050.
Expanding access
The updated risk assessment tool has a refreshed visual design and is now available in 16 languages, with four new languages added: Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
As part of World Diabetes Day 2026-2027 activities, IDF and Sun Life will promote the tool as a key call to action for the public, people at high risk and healthcare professionals supporting people in their care.
Helping people know their risk
Type 2 diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms. As a result, many people may live with the condition for years before receiving a diagnosis, often after complications have already appeared. Early identification of people at increased risk can support low-cost, high-impact action to help delay or prevent the condition.
The IDF risk assessment tool offers an accessible way for people to understand their risk. The online questionnaire is easy to use and does not require medical testing. Users answer questions about their family history, lifestyle, and other risk factors to receive a score indicating their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years.
People with a moderate risk score or above receive guidance on steps they can take to reduce their risk. They are also encouraged to consult a healthcare professional for further advice.
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda.
Charlotte Wilming, Executive Director, International Diabetes Federation, said:
“More than 600 million people are estimated to be at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Stronger collaboration across sectors is required to improve early detection and reduce risk. We are delighted to expand our partnership with Sun Life to provide a simple, evidence-based tool that allows individuals to assess their risk and connect them with the support and information they need to take action. Early action can dramatically reduce complications and improve quality of life.”
Paul Joliat, Vice-President, Global Partnerships, Sun Life, said:
“Our partnership with the International Diabetes Federation reflects Sun Life’s commitment to helping people live healthier lives. With type 2 diabetes on the rise, early detection and prevention are more important than ever. By supporting World Diabetes Day and the updated TEST2PREVENT tool, we’re helping people better understand their risk and take action sooner.”
