November’s annual campaign comes as millions remain unaware they have diabetes or prediabetes, while the condition accounts for a quarter of US healthcare spending.
Diabetes Awareness Month returns each November with a familiar purpose: to draw attention to a condition that remains one of the world’s most widespread long-term health challenges. The observance, which dates back to 1975, has become a yearly reminder that diabetes is not only a personal medical issue but also a public health and economic one, affecting patients, families and health systems alike.
The scale of the problem is considerable. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 40.1 million people in the United States have diabetes, which is about one in every eight people. The agency also says more than one in four adults with the condition do not know they have it. In addition, 115.2 million adults have prediabetes, a warning stage in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetes range, and eight in 10 of those adults are unaware of their status.
The CDC says diabetes accounted for a quarter of all healthcare spending in 2021, underscoring the financial burden of the disease as well as its medical consequences. Uncontrolled diabetes can contribute to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, nerve damage and amputations. That is why advocates use November to push screening, education and earlier diagnosis, as well as to encourage people at risk to pay attention to symptoms and check their numbers.
The month has also developed into a platform for broader advocacy. Diabetes Self-Management says the observance has expanded over the years as organisations have used it to promote testing, treatment and public awareness campaigns. Alongside that, many groups encourage people to wear blue, share reliable information, attend events, volunteer or donate to diabetes charities and research efforts. The aim is not only to raise visibility, but also to help more people understand how diabetes develops, how it can be managed and why early action matters.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
