World Diabetes Day 2025: Diabetes and Well-Being — Awareness, Care, Action
World Diabetes Day is November 14. This year the global campaign centres on diabetes and well-being, with a focused call to action on workplace support. Below is a concise, practical briefing: the facts, what prevention and care look like, workplace responsibilities, and how communities can improve access to services.
Why World Diabetes Day matters
World Diabetes Day, observed every year on November 14, was created by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization and became an official UN day in 2006. The campaign reaches people in more than 160 countries and is the primary global awareness vehicle for diabetes. The IDF notes that hundreds of millions of adults are living with diabetes worldwide, and many remain undiagnosed. (IDF) (United Nations)
This year’s theme: Diabetes and Well-Being
The World Diabetes Day campaign for 2024-26 emphasises “Diabetes and Well-Being,” focusing on physical, societal and mental well-being. For 2025 the campaign highlights diabetes in the workplace how employers, health systems and colleagues can support people living with diabetes so they can work safely and thrive. The World Health Organization frames the theme as a life-course approach to prevention and care. (WHO) (World Diabetes Day)
Key facts you should know
- Diabetes affects hundreds of millions worldwide; prevalence has been rising for decades. (IDF)
- Many people with diabetes have coexisting mental-health burdens recent surveys show anxiety and depression are common among those living with the condition. (IDF report)
- Early diagnosis and sustained access to medicines, monitoring and education dramatically reduce complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss and amputations. (WHO: Diabetes)
Prevention and primary-care essentials
Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for the majority of global cases, can often be delayed or prevented through public-health measures and lifestyle changes balanced diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and smoking cessation. Primary-care teams should screen adults with risk factors, provide clear guidance on lifestyle, and, when needed, prescribe and monitor medication. The WHO’s guidance on integrated care provides a practical framework for health systems. (WHO)
What good diabetes care looks like
Effective diabetes management is continuous and patient-centred. Core elements include:
- Regular blood-glucose monitoring and HbA1c checks to track long-term control.
- Access to essential medicines (insulin, oral agents) and supplies (test strips, syringes/pen needles, lancets where relevant).
- Education on self-management: carbohydrate awareness, insulin use, foot care and recognising hypoglycaemia.
- Support for mental health and social needs these are critical for adherence and quality of life. (IDF)
Diabetes in the workplace - practical actions
Because a large share of people with diabetes are of working age, employers can make a meaningful difference. The World Diabetes Day campaign encourages workplaces to:
- Provide education and awareness programs so colleagues understand diabetes and how to respond to hypoglycaemia or other emergencies.
- Offer reasonable adjustments: flexible breaks for monitoring and medication, access to water and private spaces for injections or glucose testing, and healthy food options on site.
- Include wellness programs that support physical activity and nutrition without stigma. (World Diabetes Day campaign resources)
Addressing mental health and well-being
Diabetes affects more than blood sugar. The IDF’s recent reports highlight that many people experience anxiety, stress and depression related to daily management and fear of complications. Integrated care models that combine medical treatment with psychological support produce better outcomes. Employers, clinics and community organisations should offer or signpost mental-health resources. (IDF)
Barriers to care - and how to close them
Common barriers include cost (for insulin and supplies), limited availability in rural areas, lack of trained primary-care staff, and weak supply chains. Health systems must prioritise affordable essential medicines, strengthen primary care, and invest in data systems to track prevalence and treatment coverage. International agencies and NGOs continue to advocate for equitable access and policy change. (WHO) (IDF)
How communities and individuals can act
- Learn the basics: know the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and recognise common symptoms (unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue).
- Encourage screening for people with risk factors: family history, overweight/obesity, sedentary lifestyle, or past gestational diabetes.
- Promote local access to healthy food and safe places to exercise community-level changes make prevention realistic.
- Participate in World Diabetes Day activities on November 14 to raise awareness and advocate for better services. (World Diabetes Day)
Quick practical checklist (for clinics, employers, community leaders)
- Ensure uninterrupted access to insulin and first-line oral medicines where needed.
- Train primary-care staff in diabetes diagnosis, management and complications screening.
- Set up workplace policies for reasonable adjustments and diabetes awareness training.
- Include mental-health support in diabetes care pathways.
- Collect local data on diagnosis and treatment gaps to guide policies and resources.
Final word
World Diabetes Day is a moment to focus on action. The evidence is clear: prevention, timely diagnosis and continuous access to medicines and education prevent complications and preserve quality of life. This year’s emphasis on well-being and workplace support is an opportunity for employers, health systems and communities to design practical, dignity-preserving responses. Join the global effort on November 14 know more, do more, and make care accessible for everyone who needs it.
Sources and further reading