I think that world days are more effective at focusing attention on a problem than they are in actually changing people's behavior. On world diabetes day I might learn more about the extent of diabetes, the dangers, the risk behaviors and treatments, anb it might get me thinking. Somewhere down the road I might decide to start changing my behaviors, after I've heard about it two or three more times or know someone who is struggling with it. I might also look into donating some money to an organization which helps diabetes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnkQ4CrSZNY&feature=fvw

Honestly, the majority of the people that pay attention to any world day tend to be those that are already aware of the problem being focused on and those that worked hard to bring that world day into being.

I am not criticizing world days, I simply feel that the best way to bring awareness to an issue is through more focused endeavors such as long terrn education programs, etc.

World days are part of the overall picture in distributing information about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of disease. Other important factors are access to health care and, as marisaupa mentioned, long-term education programs. I am in favor of any means for promoting global awareness.

I learned the importance of awareness when our grandson was diagnosed with speech and developmental delays at age three and autism at age four. He had exhibited several clear signs of autism during his first two years, but our family did not know any persons with autism and were not aware of the early signs. Because early intervention is critical in treating autism, had doctors not spotted the symptoms, our lack of knowledge might have affected his quality of life by delaying treatment. Autism awareness has come a long way since then.

Another positive result of World Diabetes Day is that it may inspire others to contribute to research for the cure and prevention of diabetes. Having watched my father battle diabetes for many years, I would love to see a cure during my lifetime. Significantly, the theme for World Diabetes Day for the period 2009-2013 is Diabetes Education and Prevention.

Kudos to those dedicated individuals and organizations who work so hard to focus global attention on such important information.