Diabetes: Know your risk, know your response

2023 marks the third and final year of the 2021-23 theme access to diabetes care. This year’s campaign focuses on the importance of knowing your risk of type 2 diabetes to help delay or prevent the condition and highlighting the impact of diabetes-related complications and the importance of having access to the right information and care to ensure timely treatment and management.

In many cases, type 2 diabetes and its complications can be delayed or prevented by adopting and maintaining healthy habits.

When not detected and treated early, diabetes can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications. These include loss of vision, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, nerve damage and complications in pregnancy.

Unfortunately, many people with diabetes are often diagnosed late, when they already have one or more diabetes-related complications. This can lead to an increased need for medical care, reduced quality of life and even premature death.

  • Almost half of all people with diabetes are currently undiagnosed.
  • The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be mild or absent. People affected can live several years with the condition before being diagnosed.
  • Many people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when one or more complications are already present.
  • Knowing your risk and the right response can help delay or prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications.