More than 350 million people in the world with diabetes, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Friday.
Marking World Diabetes Day, Ban reminded in a message that the world "rightly copes with infectious diseases such as influenza, malaria and Ebola, while the non-communicable disease posed an even greater threat to human health." Many will suffer from its debilitating complications and die prematurely, he noted.
Often misunderstood as a disease associated with affluent lifestyles, Ban pointed out that diabetes is a growing problem in developing countries.
Recognizing that non-communicable diseases constitute one of the major challenges for development in the 21st century, the UN worked hard in this issue in different international arenas.
The UN Chief said World Diabetes Day this year focuses on healthy eating as an important component of both preventing and treating diabetes.
"Healthy eating and regular exercise can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and are important in managing all types of diabetes." Therefore, Ban called for governments as well as the private sector and civil society to unite in producing and promoting more food products consistent with a healthy diet that are affordable, accessible and available to all.
A holistic approach to human health and the environment can serve to preserve biodiversity, encourage alternative forms of transportation, and boost the transition to a low-carbon economy, he added.
"Let us make World Diabetes Day meaningful by committing to practicing healthy living ourselves and making it possible for others to do the same," the UN chief concluded.