Category Archives: Diabetes

The Truth About Tanning

People who think that indoor tanning or sunbeds are a safer option are mistaken. There is no such thing as a healthy tan, which in fact indicates skin damage.

https://cansa.org.za/be-sunsmart/

Be SunSmart Everywhere

Although our SunSmart Campaign runs from December to January, CANSA reminds all South Africans to be SunSmart throughout the year and especially during Summer.

Sunburn can occur within fifteen minutes, and the damage caused is permanent, irreversible and adds up with each exposure to the sun.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and SA has one of the highest monitored ultra violet (UV) levels in the world, resulting in one of the highest skin cancer rates globally.

UV radiation is just as dangerous for outdoor labourers, sports people, on the playground or when driving to work, as it is when at the beach or pool. Rays can also reflect off surfaces and cause sunburn when it is overcast.

It’s getting hotter, so be SunSmarter!

https://cansa.org.za/be-sunsmart/

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

WAAW is celebrated from 18-24 November every year. The theme for WAAW 2023 will remain “Preventing antimicrobial resistance together”, as in 2022. AMR is a threat to humans, animals, plants and the environment. It affects us all.

 

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. WAAW is celebrated from 18-24 November every year.

The theme for WAAW 2023 will remain “Preventing antimicrobial resistance together“, as in 2022. AMR is a threat to humans, animals, plants and the environment. It affects us

all.

Why do we need to be aware of antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance jeopardizes advancements in modern health care that we have come to rely on, such as joint replacements, organ transplants, and cancer therapy. These procedures have a significant risk of infection, and patients won’t be able to receive them if effective antibiotics are not available.

 

That is why this year’s theme calls for cross-sectoral collaboration to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials. To effectively reduce AMR, all sectors must use antimicrobials prudently and appropriately, take preventive measures to decrease the incidence of infections and follow good practices in disposal of antimicrobial contaminated waste.

https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2023/11/18/default-calendar/world-amr-awareness-week-2023#:~:text=WAAW%20is%20celebrated%20from%2018,It%20affects%20us%20all.

Diabetes

World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus and is held on 14 November each year.

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is Access to Diabetes Care.

• Millions of people with diabetes around the world do not have access to diabetes care.
• People with diabetes require ongoing care and support to manage their condition and avoid complications.

We cannot wait any longer for:

• Medicine, technologies, support and care to be made available to all people with diabetes that require them.
• Governments to increase investment in diabetes care and prevention.

In 2023, the campaign will focus on the importance of knowing your risk of type 2 diabetes to help delay or prevent the condition and highlighting the impact of diabetes-related complications and the importance of having access to the right information and care to ensure timely treatment and management.

 https://worlddiabetesday.org/

 SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT DIABETES IN NOVEMBER!

World Diabetes Day is a global occasion on which people with diabetes, health professionals, diabetes advocates, media, the general public and government organisations unite to raise awareness of diabetes. Your participation – both in the build-up to and following 14 November – is key to the success of the campaign. Taking part can be exciting and hugely rewarding!

The theme for World Diabetes Day 2021-23 is Access to Diabetes Care. The focus of the campaign in 2023 is on delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications, with the slogan “Know your risk, Know your response.”

You can support the call and raise awareness of the need for more diabetes education in a number of ways

https://worlddiabetesday.org/