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Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia).

Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent or childhood-onset diabetes) is characterized by a lack of insulin production.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes) is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. It often results from excess body weight and physical inactivity.

Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia that is first recognized during pregnancy.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Fact sheet: diabetes

Q&A: What are the risks of diabetes in children?

World Diabetes Day

MULTIMEDIA

Features: Face to face with chronic disease: diabetes

RELATED TOPICS

- Chronic diseases
- Tobacco
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Nutrition
- Blindness and visual impairment: diabetes

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Working to ensure quality care for persons with diabetes

Diabetes Action Now

- More information on diabetes

PUBLICATIONS

Diabetes Action Now booklet

Definition and diagnosis of diabetes [pdf 1.53Mb]

- More publications on diabetes

STATISTICS

Facts and figures

WHO Global InfoBase: diabetes


WHO PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES

WHO Programme on Diabetes

Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion

DIABETES IN WHO REGIONS

Region of the Americas
Eastern Mediterranean Region
Western Pacific Region


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