News

Campaign for World Diabetes Day: Germany Measures!

Two million people in Germany have diabetes without knowing it - and there are almost 1,000 new cases every day. In conjunction with World Diabetes Day on November 14th, the campaign “Germany Measures!” is countering this trend with a targeted education initiative. The German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) is a partner of the campaign.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes – nine out of ten people with diabetes suffer from this form. Since the metabolic disorder usually begins with no signs at all, type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is frequently not diagnosed until quite some time has passed. Experts estimate that in Germany alone about two million people are affected by the disease without knowing it. However, persistently high blood glucose levels can cause late complications: For example, diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, damage to the kidneys and eyes as well as dangerous circulatory disorders in the feet and legs. However, if diabetes or a diabetes risk is detected in time and appropriate measures are taken, the disease can be treated and/or its consequences effectively prevented.

To raise more awareness for one’s own diabetes risk, the Diabetes Online Community #dedoc° and diabetesDE – German Diabetes Aid have initiated the campaign “Germany Measures!”. The campaign is focused on targeted education, personal counseling and the DIfE – GERMAN DIABETES RISK TEST® (DRT), which researchers of the German Institute of Human Nutrition DIfE and the DZD have developed. By means of 11 easy questions, the test screens participants quickly and reliably as to their risk of developing diabetes in the next five years. People who are diagnosed with an increased risk of diabetes may check their blood glucose levels free of charge in cooperating pharmacies throughout Germany and receive non-binding advice. More information about this can be found at https://2mio.de.

Tests during World Diabetes Day
Interested people can take the diabetes risk test at the central event of World Diabetes Day on November  20, 2016 in KOSMOS in Berlin at the stand of the DZD. There visitors can also interactively learn about the disease and the latest results of diabetes research.