World Health Day, which takes place annually on 7 April, will this year aim to ‘beat diabetes’ by campaigning for improved health systems and better management of diabetes.

World Health Day is an annual awareness day, held by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that aims to raise awareness of a priority health concern.

The WHO’s objectives for World Health Day 2016 are:
• Increase awareness of the rise in diabetes
• Set out actions to tackle diabetes – including steps to better prevent, diagnose and treat diabetes
• Raise awareness of the consequences of diabetes and promote effective management of diabetes.

Poor management of diabetes can lead to serious health complications including heart disease, kidney failure, stroke or amputation. The WHO has signposted that one in 11 adults worldwide suffer from diabetes and referred to its ‘unrelenting march’. According to charity Diabetes UK, the number of diabetes-related amputations in England has reached an all-time high of 135 amputations per week.

Corrina Mottram, a clinical negligence solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Diabetes is a condition that effects millions of people across the UK and this years’ World Health Day focuses on a number of key areas of concern.

“We too often see people suffering serious complications as a result of poor management of their condition. Education and effective treatment costs money now but saves many times the outlay in the long term and the government must address the concerns highlighted by the WHO.

“NHS staff need to be properly resourced to provide adequate support, advice and care to patients, while ensuring people living with diabetes are educated about how they can best manage their condition and spot early warning signs.”