World Diabetes Day Date in the current year: November 14, 2024

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels. If left untreated, diabetes causes major complications, some of which may be fatal. Diabetes is caused by the inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or by the cells' failure to respond to insulin properly (type 2 diabetes).

World Diabetes Day was established to raise awareness of diabetes as a chronic, debilitating disease and to respond to the diabetes pandemic. November 14 was chosen as it is the birth anniversary of Frederick Banting, Canadian physician who was the first to use insulin on humans and received the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery.

Every year, the International Diabetes Federation chooses a new theme related to diabetes, and all participants are encouraged to center their events on the current year's theme. The World Diabetes Day logo is a blue circle that symbolizes life, health, and unity.