World Diabetes Day: wellbeing in the workplace

14 November is World Diabetes Day, a date established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) back in 1991. The global theme for 2024-2026 is "Diabetes and Wellbeing", while 2025 focuses on how diabetes affects life in the professional world.

This topic is particularly relevant given that almost 70% of people with diabetes continue to work, facing the double burden of a chronic disease and challenging working conditions. In Luxembourg, according to 2025, 63% of patients report that fear of complications undermines their psychological well-being, and 28% admit that they find it difficult to maintain a positive attitude when faced with the reality of living with diabetes.

It is important to distinguish between the types of the disease. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that often occurs in childhood or adolescence, develops rapidly and requires insulin therapy from the first days. It accounts for about 5-10% of all cases and cannot be prevented.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common (90% of cases), develops gradually and can be asymptomatic for a long time. It is often diagnosed too late. The risks of developing type 2 are directly related to lifestyle: overweight, physical inactivity, nutrition and stress play a key role.

Office, factory or shop - any workplace can carry immediate risks for people with diabetes: lack of time to eat and monitor sugar, stressful workloads, lack of understanding from colleagues and management. Many face stigma, discrimination or lack of support, including psychological support.

To change the situation, Luxembourg has launched a series of events to mark World Diabetes Day. From 12 to 22 November, 55 pharmacies across the country are hosting a campaign where anyone can be screened for the risk of type 2 diabetes, receive counselling and information on prevention. In 2024, more than 1,200 people have already taken advantage of this opportunity.

Also on 8 November, the traditional "10,000 Steps Walk" was held in Dudelange to promote physical activity as a simple and affordable way of prevention.

The final highlight will be a conference on 13 November at the Parc Belle-Vue Hotel on health and well-being at work. In addition to presentations and sharing experiences, the organisers will hold an exhibition on real stories and challenges faced by patients in their working lives.

These events are organised by the Directorate of Health, the Luxembourg Diabetes Association (ALD) and the Pharmacists' Union (SPL) with the support of the EU. The aim is to rethink attitudes towards diabetes: not as a 'limitation', but as a condition that can be fully lived and worked with if society and the environment are conducive to it.