Advocacy
Collective action in driving meaningful change
IDF advocacy activities demonstrate the power of collective action in driving meaningful change for diabetes care and prevention.
Working closely with our Members, we are raising awareness, shaping the global health agenda and influencing policies on public health measures to tackle the growing prevalence of diabetes worldwide.
Partnering for better diabetes outcomes
Our projects and activities are the cornerstones of our advocacy actions. We aim to improve global access to diabetes care and promote diabetes prevention through targeted advocacy campaigns. To achieve this, we partner with expert UN agencies, leading international organisations, diabetes advocates and other key stakeholders.
By galvanising stakeholders in our advocacy actions, we can change the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the rise of type 2 diabetes.
Advocacy Academy
IDF has an extensive network of advocates and supporters who are key to the success of our campaigns and activities. The IDF Advocacy Academy was established to provide educational opportunities to build the advocacy capacity of our network of Blue Circle Voices and Young Leaders in Diabetes.
Learn more and meet our advocates
Advocacy events
IDF advocacy events address diabetes-related challenges and are an opportunity to advocate for policies to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the condition in those at risk.
Our advocacy team hosts an exciting range of in-person and online events, including workshops, webinars and bespoke masterclasses.
IDF has hosted and co-hosted advocacy webinars on diabetes education, policymaker engagement, messaging and strategies and universal health care (UHC).
Advocacy webinars
KiDS and diabetes in schools
Launched in 2013, the Kids and Diabetes in School (KiDS) programme promotes a safe and supportive school environment for children with diabetes.
Why starting early matters
Starting early with diabetes education in schools and promoting healthy lifestyles can be a stepping-stone toward a diabetes-free future. Likewise, educating young people about diabetes removes misconceptions and stigma that children with diabetes face in school and leads to understanding and acceptance.
IDF advocates for the implementation of education programmes on diabetes and healthy habits in schools across the world.
Learn more about KiDSLatest IDF advocacy resources
View all resources
Report
KiDS global survey on government policies addressing diabetes at school
In 2024, IDF invited its member associations to participate in a global survey on the reach of diabetes-related educational initiatives and policies in schools, to identify gaps and determine which countries have a policy implementation plan or policy and which do not.
KiDS Member Survey Report-Final
pdf
4MB
Policy brief
Diabetic Retinopathy: A Call for Global Action
A policy brief developed by IDF and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) that advocates for a joint approach to prevent and manage vision loss in people living with diabetes by integrating diabetic retinopathy (DR) care into diabetes policies and national health plans.
IAPB-IDF Policy brief - Diabetic retinopathy: a call for global action
pdf
4MB
Policy brief
Tobacco and diabetes knowledge summary
A brief, jointly developed by WHO, the International Diabetes Federation and the University of Newcastle, that summarises the association between tobacco use and diabetes and describes the effectiveness of interventions to reduce tobacco use and tobacco-related complications.
Tobacco and diabetes Knowledge Summary
pdf
433KB
Policy brief
Renewing the fight: a call to action on diabetes and chronic kidney disease
A policy brief developed by IDF and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) to offer healthcare professionals and diabetes advocates recommendations targeted at policymakers for effectively preventing, managing and treating diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
IDF-ISN Policy Brief-Renewing the Fight_ a call to action on diabetes and chronic kidney disease
pdf
11MB
Policy brief
Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: a Joint Approach to Halt the Rise
A policy brief by IDF and World Obesity Federation that provides diabetes and obesity advocates, healthcare professionals and policymakers with recommendations on the actions required to prevent, manage and treat both conditions effectively.
Policy Briel_Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes_a Joint Approach to Halt the Rise
pdf
2MB
Toolkit
IDF Guide to Data-driven Advocacy
The IDF Guide to Data-Driven Advocacy compiles information and advice that will help people interested in diabetes and health-related advocacy to find, interpret and use data for effective diabetes advocacy. It can also be a useful resource for researchers, providing insight on how they can support diabetes advocates to drive change.
attachments-27.pdf
pdf
2MB
If would like to reproduce content from an IDF advocacy resource, please complete our online form.
Advocacy milestones
IDF has been instrumental in putting diabetes on the global agenda, raising awareness about the condition and advocating for policies supporting people with diabetes.
- 2006 – The UN passes Resolution 61/225 “World Diabetes Day” – the first for a non-communicable disease.
- 2011 – At the first UN HLM on NCDs, Member States pass a resolution to prioritise diabetes and other NCDs.
- 2013 – the WHO aims for a 25% reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 and establishes nine voluntary targets, including a 0% increase in diabetes and obesity prevalence and 80% access to essential medicines and devices by 2025.
- 2014 – the second UN HLM on NCDs assessed the progress made by Member States in combating NCDs. The Outcome Document outlined the following goals: set national NCD targets for 2025 by 2015, devise policies to achieve these objectives, decrease NCD risk factors by 2016, and improve healthcare.
- 2015 – The adoption of SDGs as a part of the post-2015 development agenda. One target is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 30% by 2030.
- 2018 – The third UN HLM on NCDs evaluates Member States’ progress in achieving NCD commitments. IDF launches a call to action requesting governments to honour their 2011 commitments.
- 2019 – During the UN HLM on UHC, IDF launches a call to action emphasising the importance of UHC and how it can improve the lives of people with diabetes.