AKIPRESS.COM - The World Diabetes Day is observed every year on November 14 and this year theme for the day is Women and Diabetes, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health said.

The World Diabetes Day is aimed to raise awareness of diabetes along with access to right treatment and care. It is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and each year focuses on a unique theme.

This year theme Women and Diabetes was chosen because women suffer from this illness more often than men, women with diabetes face health issues in pregnancy, and women face hardships when their children or husbands struggling with diabetes, according to the Ministry.

In Bishkek, the World Diabetes Day will be marked on November 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 near the Kurmanjan Datka memorial. Patients and other people can check their blood glucose levels and attend the global diabetes marching in Bishkek. On November 15-16, Bishkek will host a conference to discuss issues of diabetes and thyreidology.

Diabetes facts:

• The main risk factors for women include poor diet and nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco consumption and harmful use of alcohol.
• There are currently over 199 million women living with diabetes. This total is projected to increase to 313 million by 2040.
• Two out of every five women with diabetes are of reproductive age, accounting for over 60 million women worldwide.
• Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women globally, causing 2.1 million deaths per year.
• Women with type 2 diabetes are almost 10 times more likely to have coronary heart disease than women without the condition.
• Women with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of early miscarriage or having a baby with malformations.

What needs to be done:

• Health systems must pay adequate attention to the specific needs and priorities of women.
• All women with diabetes should have access to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information they need to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes.
• All women with diabetes should have access to pre-conception planning services to reduce risk during pregnancy.
• All women and girls should have access to physical activity to improve their health outcomes.