On the occasion of World Diabetes Day 2018, which, like every year, falls on 14 November, more than 6,000 pharmacies across Italy have joined the national screening campaign for the prevention of diabetic disease.
From 12 to 18 November, it will thus be possible to go to all participating pharmacies and undergo a simple test for diabetes screening. DiaDay 2018, the largest initiative for the prevention of diabetes and all related complications promoted by Federfarma, is back after the great success of the first edition. Data in hand during the 2017 edition over 160 thousand people were screened for the disease and of these almost 5,000 people tested positive for diabetes did not know they had it.
Diabetes is a widespread disease and epidemiological data indicate that it is following a rapidly growing trend. However, despite its high prevalence worldwide, diabetes remains an underestimated disease because it is often wrongly associated only with the elderly population. Instead, it is a chronic disease, of which there are several forms, and which can occur in any age group and also affect children, adolescents and pregnant women. Almost 4,000 people in Italy have diabetes and 1 in 3 still do not know they have it.
This is why events, campaigns and initiatives will be held in numerous Italian cities until 18 November in order to raising awareness among the entire population on the importance of proper knowledge around the topic of diabetes. The aim will be to inform all citizens including family members of affected persons (the so-called caregivers) on the prevention and management of diabetic disease.
The Italian Ophthalmologist on the occasion of World Diabetes Day 2018 will share for over a week specific content on diabetes and disease-related eye complications. Learn more and share too!
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
English 
Italian