Over 37 million Americans have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and an additional 37 million adults have prediabetes. November is the month that these people, along with family, friends, and supporters, come together and share their experiences with diabetes.
Learn more about Diabetes Awareness Month and how you can get involved.
Diabetes Awareness
Awareness months, weeks, and days are observed to teach the public about specific medical conditions and improve health outcomes. The number of official health awareness days has increased over the past 50 years, with nearly 200 in observance.
National Day
In addition to National Diabetes Awareness month, Diabetes Alert Day occurs on the fourth Thursday of March every year. Some of the goals of Diabetes Alert Day are to raise diabetes awareness and encourage people to get screened to assess their risk of diabetes.
It takes place in November. It began in 1975. It was officially recognized in 1981 by President Reagan. It includes World Diabetes Day (November 14). The ribbon color is blue. The symbol is a blue circle. The goals are to come together, share, learn, celebrate, and promote healthy changes.
National Month
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. This month became officially recognized by Congress in the 1980s, but it began in 1975 and was trademarked American Diabetes Month in 1977.
One of the reasons for observing this month, along with awareness and health promotion, is to celebrate the 1968 invention of the insulin pump, additional medical advances, and future diabetes research.
World
World Diabetes Day is an international diabetes awareness day that began in 1991 and became official in 2006 with the United Nations. It occurs each year on November 14, the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin, a medication used to treat diabetes.
The goals of this day are to raise awareness of the disease and look for opportunities to improve health outcomes through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
What Is the Diabetes Ribbon Color?
Color-coded ribbons are used as symbols to represent specific causes. Blue is the designated ribbon color to signify support for diabetes. However, people and organizations may also use a gray and blue ribbon since gray was the color for diabetes before it changed to blue.
Is There a Symbol for Diabetes?
In addition to ribbons, a blue circle has become an international symbol for diabetes.
This blue circle symbol signifies the following:
The United Nations flag, representing international diabetes supportThe blue color of the skyDiabetes community unityThe circle signifies Mother Earth, health, and life
The United Nations officially recognizes the blue circle as the symbol of diabetes.
Activities and Ways to Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved in Diabetes Awareness Month and support health in the diabetes community. If you have diabetes, you can share your story to help others to understand what living with diabetes is like.
If you don’t have diabetes but want to get involved in the community, you can start by learning how to lower your risk of diabetes and support people living with diabetes.
The goal of Diabetes Awareness Month is to make progress through shared discussion around the topic.
During this month, it is also essential to focus on participating in awareness activities that lead to change. Sharing actionable information may help people reduce their risk of developing diabetes or managing it if they have already been diagnosed.
Summary
Diabetes Awareness Month takes place in November. It is a time to join together to support people with diabetes, celebrate medical progress, and promote changes to reduce diabetes prevalence and improve health outcomes for people with the disease. Coming together to share ideas, learn, and raise awareness helps support changes that promote health.
American Diabetes Association Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Children’s Diabetes Foundation
A Word From Verywell
Although diabetes can be a challenging condition to live with, getting involved and raising awareness about diabetes can help you (or someone you love) feel less alone. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened for diabetes and learn how to reduce your risk. If you are living with diabetes, know that proper treatment and lifestyle management make it possible to lead a long, healthy life with diabetes.
