​National Diabetes Month - One in four don't even realize they're walking around with the disease.

​National Diabetes Month 2024 – November 2024

Consider that while almost 30 million people in the U.S. have some form of diabetes, one in four don’t even realize they’re walking around with the disease. National Diabetes Month is an annual event each November to boost awareness about the risk factors, symptoms, and types of diabetes. If you’ve been recently diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2, or if you are considered pre-diabetic, hear the stories, check out the latest research, and connect with others who can help you on your journey to live a healthier life.

National Diabetes Month timeline

​2011
​State legislators approved first Action Plan

​Kentucky became the first state in the nation to legislate diabetes policy and assess resources for affected communities with the Diabetes Action Plan.

​1999
​Court of Appeals banned employment discrimination

​A San Antonio court of appeals ruled that employment bans against people suffering from diabetes is discriminatory and unlawful.

​1994
​Obesity discovery made in medical study

Scientists discovered the genetic basis of obesity through a breakthrough study using mice.

​1982
​President Reagan issued a diabetes proclamation

​President Reagan designated Diabetes Awareness Month for the first time.

​1964
​Blood glucose strips improved diabetes testing

​Color-coded blood glucose strips became a new way of testing blood sugar levels in hospitals — and later, in the homes of people with diabetes.

How to Observe National Diabetes Month

  1. Commit to a healthier lifestyle

    Discover ways that you can live a little healthier by reviewing your habits. Are you getting enough sleep? Fatigue can cause a resistance to the insulin your body needs — and daytime tiredness can stop you from getting some life-saving exercise. Drink more water because dehydration keeps your body from functioning well. Be adventurous and add some new veggies and fruits to your diet to help keep those hunger pangs at bay.

  2. Assemble a "sick day" kit

    It pays to be ready for those days when your diabetes or some other illness gets you down. With a "sick day" kit, you'll be prepared in case you need to stay home and recuperate or head out to see your doctor. Some of the items in your kit may include blood glucose monitoring supplies, ketone test strips, glucose tablets or gel, a thermometer, hand sanitizer, an alarm clock or timer to stay on top of your glucose levels, and soft tissues. It's your list so tailor it for your needs.

  3. Create a small cookbook

    There are restrictions on what people with diabetes can eat. But that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tasty treats. Scour special cookbooks and websites designed for diabetics and experiment with recipes. Choose from delicious ice cream cakes using light sugar, reduced-fat whipped toppings, sugar-free hot fudge sauce, or low-cal casserole because you don't have to suffer with less flavor because of diabetes.

​Five Sobering Diabetes Facts

  1. ​Ancient Egyptians knew about it

    ​An Egyptian manuscript dating around 1500 BC was one of the first documents in history describing diabetes as a disease.

  2. ​India at risk

    ​The vast majority of people in the world with diabetes reside in India.

  3. ​It is debilitating

    ​The leading cause of blindness, amputations, and kidney failure is diabetes.

  4. ​It can hurt your heart

    ​People with diabetes have a double risk of developing heart disease over those who don't suffer from it.

  5. ​It's costly

    ​If you factor in the costs for medical expenses and reduced productivity, diabetes costs over $245 billion each year.

Why National Diabetes Month is Important

  1. There are two main conditions

    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body can't produce insulin, a hormone in the pancreas that breaks down carbohydrates into blood sugar or glucose, for energy. Insulin therapy helps the pancreas to function normally. Many children suffer from Type 1 diabetes although it can affect people of any age or background. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease where the body is unable to process our internal insulin well enough to keep blood sugar at normal levels.

  2. Know your risk factors

    You may be predisposed to Type 2 diabetes if you are overweight, older than 45, your parent had Type 2 diabetes, you barely exercise each week, and you have been diagnosed with prediabetes. Losing weight is a key preventive measure. With a 10-14 pound weight loss, you can improve your chances of avoiding or even beating diabetes. Try to exercise about 30 minutes a day, five times per week.

  3. This year's theme is gestational diabetes

    National Diabetes Month is focusing on gestational diabetes. This occurs to women who develop diabetes during pregnancy. Once a woman is diagnosed with this form of diabetes in pregnancy, she risks developing diabetes at some point later in her lifetime. You may also have a lifelong risk of diabetes if you give birth to a baby weighing over nine pounds.

National Diabetes Month dates

Year Date Day
2022 November 1 Tuesday
2023 November 1 Wednesday
2024 November 1 Friday
2025 November 1 Saturday
2026 November 1 Sunday
All Saints' Day
​National Calzone Day
National Vinegar Day
National Men Make Dinner Day
National Brush Day
Karnataka Rajyotsava Day
National Cook For Your Pets Day
National Jersey Friday
National Deep Fried Clams Day
National Cinnamon Day
Extra Mile Day
National Family Literacy Day
Fountain Pen Day
Love Your Lawyer Day
National Author's Day
Prime Meridian Day
World Vegan Day
Haryana Day
International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day
Lakshmi Puja
Puducherry Liberation Day
Antigua Independence Day
Kut
Kannada Rajyothsava
D. Hamilton Jackson Day
Anniversary of the Revolution
Coronation Day of His Majesty the King
Pâté Day
Laxmi Puja
Scented Candle Day
National Biologic Coordinators Day
National Jayden Day
National Mia Day
Calan Gaeaf
All Saints Day (Spain)
GeorgeNotFound's Birthday
Lil Peep's Birthday
Jayden Bartels's Birthday
Natalia Tena's Birthday
Penn Badgley's Birthday
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Birthday
Paige Hyland's Birthday
Anthony Ramos's Birthday
David Foster's Birthday
Earth Katsamonnat's Birthday
JoJo Fletcher's Birthday
Anthony Kiedis's Birthday
Sada Bettencourt's Birthday
Jenny McCarthy's Birthday
Marc D'Amelio's Birthday
Coco Crisp's Birthday
Gabrielle Bernstein's Birthday
Sunset Safari's Birthday
World Communication Week
National Fig Week
National Medical Cannabis Week
​Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month
​Diabetic Eye Disease Month
​National Diabetes Month
​National Epilepsy Awareness Month
​National Family Caregivers Month
National Fun with Fondue Month
​National Impotency Month
National Peanut Butter Lovers Month
National Pepper Month
No Shave November
​PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
​National Healthy Skin Month
​National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
​National Novel Writing Month
Banana Pudding Lovers Month
National Prevent a Litter Month
Family Stories Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Gluten Free Diet Awareness Month
Manatee Awareness Month
National Adopt A Senior Pet Month
Military Family Month
National Adoption Month
National Roasting Month
National Family Literacy Month
National Gratitude Month
National Native American Heritage Month
National Entrepreneurship Month
Aviation History Month
Filipino Values Month
National Raisin Bread Month
Adopt a Turkey Month
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
Bladder Health Month
Library and Information Services Month
National Long-term Care Awareness Month
Traditional and Alternative Health Month
National Consciousness Month for Punctuality and Civility
Philippine Book Development Month
National Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation Month
Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month
National Children’s Month
National Repair Done Right Month
National Pomegranate Month
Pet Diabetes Month
National Life Writing Month
National Rice Awareness Month
National Marrow Awareness Month
National Inspirational Role Models Month
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
National Home Care and Hospice Month
National Scholarship Month