The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) today launched the
first ever Charter setting out the fundamental rights of more
than 300 million people living with diabetes. The landmark
document places the rights of people with diabetes and 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 surrou