Sandton – November 15, 2022– World Diabetes Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a global public health issue and what needs to be done, collectively and individually, for better prevention, diagnosis, and management of the condition. Research shows that in 2014, 8.5% of adults aged 18 years and older had diabetes and that in 2019, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.5 million deaths. Of all these deaths, 48% occurred before the age of 70 years.2 In Africa statistics shows that 1 in 22 adults (24 million) adults are living with diabetes and that the total number of people with diabetes is predicted to increase by 129% to 55 million by 2045.. 3
Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin, it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia). Type 1 diabetes which is known as insulin-dependent is characterized by a lack of insulin production (occurs mainly in children). Type 2 diabetes which was formerly known as non-insulin-dependent is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin which often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity (Which occurs mainly in adults). Gestational diabetes is hyperglycemia that is first recognized during pregnancy. 1
As part of World Diabetes Day themed, Access to Diabetes Care, Sanofi aims to provide free diabetes screening, build awareness on diabetes treatment, and promote a healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle measures are effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes, such as achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight, eating healthy and staying physically fit have been taken as some of the measures to prevent diabetes.
“At Sanofi, we believe in engaging directly with local communities to ensure that we enhance knowledge about what diabetes is, how to detect it and how to live a long and healthy life while managing this condition. Similar to what we did previously, Sanofi is going out to communities to screen for the condition and we have partnered with influencers who are living with the condition as well as those who are knowledgeable about how to maintain good health and nutrition in order to help ordinary people manage their condition, regardless of whether it is Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes,” says Sanofi Diabetes Medical Advisor, Kiolan Naidoo.
Sanofi’s ambition is to enable better diabetes care around the world through access to sustainable solutions, and to improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes, no matter where they live. This is a shared responsibility with local health systems that is why one of the activities that Sanofi will be embarking upon includes providing free diabetes screening services to the Lenasia community. Research shows that diabetes can be treated or some of the consequences avoided when there is regular screening involved 4.
Statistics show that Over 1 in 2 (54%) people living with diabetes are undiagnosed 5. “Testing for diabetes is crucial for people as early detection can save lives, which is why we have embarked on this campaign and plan to widen its reach in the years to come,” says Naidoo.
Influencers such as well-renowned hip-hop artist, Tshepo ‘Howza’ Mosese, Fitness influencer Mpoomy Ledwaba, model and diabetes activist, Thapi Semenya, and nutrition influencer, ‘Zanele the Cook’ will host webinars and other forms of engagement to educate young people about diabetes under the hashtag #DiabetesDoesn’tDefineMe.
“We want to remind people that you can still enjoy a healthy lifestyle while living with diabetes, no matter your age, social status, or background,” concludes Naidoo.
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About Sanofi We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across some 100 countries, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the centre of our ambitions. |
Sanofi Communications Contact Name Tshepiso Ntlhoro Tel: 076 5838771 Email ; tshepiso@britespark.co.za |
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and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare
References 1. World Health Organization. Diabetes key facts, 2022 [Online]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
[ Accessed on 28/10/2022]
Reference 2. World Health Organization. Diabetes key facts, 2022 [Online]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
[ Accessed on 28/10/2022]
Reference 3. International Diabetes Federation IDF. Diabetes around the world 2021, [Online ]. Available at: https://diabetesatlas.org/
[Accessed on 28/10/2022]
Reference 4. World Health Organization. Diabetes key facts, 2022 [Online]. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
[ Accessed on 28/10/2022]
Reference 5. International Diabetes Federation IDF. Diabetes around the world 2021, [Online ]. Available at: https://diabetesatlas.org/
[Accessed on 28/10/2022]