On 14 November, EASO joins colleagues across Europe and the global health community in marking World Diabetes Day 2026, supporting the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) call for “Early Action on Diabetes”.
This year’s campaign highlights the importance of early diagnosis, timely access to quality care and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. With an estimated 589 million adults living with diabetes worldwide, including approximately 66 million in the IDF Europe Region, the need for earlier action is clear.
Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease in its own right, requiring evidence-based diagnosis, management and long-term care. It is also a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Recognising and managing obesity early is therefore essential both to preventing the complications of obesity, including diabetes.
EASO applauds the work of our European colleagues and partners, particularly the European Diabetes Forum (EUDF) and Primary Care Diabetes Europe (PCDE), alongside the wider global diabetes community, in advancing integrated, person-centred approaches to chronic disease care. Collaboration across disease areas, professional disciplines and national borders is essential to strengthening early action — including prompt diagnosis, equitable access to care and long-term health outcomes.
World Diabetes Day also coincides with ObesityWeek 2026 in Washington, DC (14–17 November), where EASO colleagues are joining the international obesity community to exchange scientific knowledge, strengthen partnerships and advance evidence-based obesity management.
Learn more about World Diabetes Day 2026: https://worlddiabetesday.org/