World Diabetes Day 2024
World Diabetes Day 2024
People suffering from diabetes face hardship to manage their chronic condition in their daily life and this adversely affects their physical and mental wellbeing. A recent global survey by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reveals that three in every four people living with diabetes have experiences anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition because of their condition.To highlight the burnout from continuously managing the disease and emphasize the need for greater support; the theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day, observed on 14 November, calls for a focus on well-being at the core of diabetes care and promote the change for an improved #DiabetesLife.
Tuberculosis (TB) with it’s chronic nature and long treatment period stresses patients beyond fighting the bacteria. Having diabetes increases the risk by two-to-four-fold of developing TB. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report estimates that in 2022, 0.37 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) were attributable to diabetes. Addressing both issues in resource-limited, high-burden countries remains a significant challenge. WHO’s ‘Framework for collaborative action on TB and comorbidities’ supports countries in addressing TB and other co-existing health conditions, including Diabetes.
An integrated care model, such as REACH in Chennai, India, provides a valuable example of using TB detection as an entry point to diagnose and manage co-morbidities like diabetes. By monitoring treatment adherence for diabetic patients during their TB treatment, alongside support for nutrition and lifestyle adjustments, this model promotes improved outcomes for both conditions. Given this year’s theme of well-being, this holistic approach can also incorporate counseling and mental health support, fostering comprehensive care that addresses both physical and mental health needs.
The ongoing TB Union Conference in Bali provides a collaborative environment for health professionals and researchers to exchange insights on managing patients with both TB and diabetes. Several posters, abstracts and presentations highlight the topic of Diabetes, furthering steps to practical strategies to enhance care for individuals facing the dual burden of these conditions.
