WORLD: International charter promotes rights of people with diabetes

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BRUSSELS, Belgium / International Diabetes Federation / April 12, 2011

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has launched the first ever Charter setting out the fundamental rights of more than 300 million people living with diabetes.

The landmark document, which forms part of IDF’s Advocacy Toolkit for the United Nations High-Level Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), places the rights of people with diabetes, their parents and carers into three focus areas; the rights to care; information and education and social justice, whilst at the same time acknowledging the responsibilities held by people with diabetes.

The publication of the International Charter of Rights and Responsibilities of People with Diabetes comes at a crucial time. As the global diabetes epidemic continues to escalate, IDF estimates that the number of people with diabetes will rise to 500 million within a generation, killing 4 million people each year and costing the global economy US$378 billion in health care spending.

IDF will use the Charter as a powerful campaigning tool to counteract the discrimination and stigma millions of people with diabetes still face, largely due to ignorance and misconceptions surrounding the disease. In many parts of the world, this promotes a culture of secrecy that can create barriers to services, employment, and even marriage, and may stop people with diabetes playing an active role in society.

Raising awareness about the rights of people with diabetes is a key element of IDF’s demand for coordinated and concerted international action to tackle the diabetes epidemic before, during and after the UN Summit on NCDs to be held this September in New York.

■ Download the International Charter of Rights and Responsibilities of People with Diabetes (pdf, 2MB)

© 2011 International Diabetes Federation