The International Diabetes Federation conducts global and national campaigns aimed at improving access to diabetes care and supporting prevention initiatives. It collaborates with bodies such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, national governments, and community-based organizations to advance its advocacy goals. The Federation’s advocacy efforts include educational activities such as webinars and masterclasses, as well as training programs like the IDF Advocacy Academy designed to strengthen the capacity of diabetes advocates worldwide. Key advocacy initiatives include:
World Diabetes Day (WDD) is a global awareness campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), observed on November 14 yearly. It focuses on diabetes mellitus and promotes awareness about the disease. Type 2 diabetes is preventable and treatable, while Type 1 diabetes is manageable with insulin injections. The campaign themes have included diabetes and human rights, lifestyle, obesity, disadvantaged populations, and children. The day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting, one of the discoverers of insulin in 1922.
Launched in 2021, the Advocacy Academy [7] is designed to build the advocacy skills of individuals and organisations involved in diabetes care and policy at the global level. It trains and empowers people to become diabetes advocates who drive meaningful change for diabetes care and prevention. The Academy includes Blue Circle Voices (BCV), Young Leaders in Diabetes (YLD) and Member Associations of the International Diabetes Federation.
Blue Circle Voices (BCV) is a global advocacy network established by the International Diabetes Federation in 2016 to represent the perspectives of people living with or affected by diabetes. Comprising members from the Federation’s seven regional associations, the network provides input on key issues such as access to care, health equity, the affordability of insulin and essential medicines, stigma, and diabetes education.
The Young Leaders in Diabetes (YLD) programme was established in 2011 to train youth affected by diabetes to become diabetes advocates in their communities. Participants are selected from IDF member associations and receive leadership, peer support, advocacy, and project management training. The YLD network is also present at global events like the World Diabetes Congress and World Diabetes Day campaigns, promoting the voice and engagement of young people in shaping diabetes policy.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in collaboration with the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) and supported by Sanofi, launched the Kids and Diabetes in Schools (KiDS) programme in 2013.[8][9] This initiative aims to bring diabetes education to schools, combat diabetes-related stigma, and promote healthy lifestyles to tackle preventable risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The programme was piloted in São Paulo, Brazil, and New Delhi, India, engaging 1,393 school staff and 38,000 students.
Since its inception, KiDS has expanded globally, reaching over 687,000 children and 27,000 teachers across 21 countries. Resources have been translated into 20 languages and adapted to local customs, exemplifying a global effort to educate children about type 1 diabetes and promote healthy lifestyles to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
In April 2025, during the World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, the KiDS programme launched a new website with revamped and improved resources. The updated visual identity and resources aim to make diabetes education more engaging and accessible, resonating with educators and students alike.
IDF provides education for healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes through:
The IDF School of Diabetes, launched in 2016, is an online education platform developed to enhance the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals involved in diabetes care. The platform offers accredited, evidence-based modules created in collaboration with international experts in endocrinology, primary care, and public health. Course topics include the diagnosis and management of diabetes, insulin therapy, lifestyle modification, and strategies to prevent diabetes-related complications.
Understanding Diabetes is an educational initiative introduced by the Federation in 2022. It provides interactive learning tools designed for people living with diabetes, as well as their families and caregivers. The platform focuses on increasing diabetes literacy and supporting self-management. Its content covers areas such as blood glucose monitoring, nutrition, physical activity, medication administration, and recognising symptoms of complications. The materials are freely accessible and available in multiple languages.
The Centres of Excellence in Diabetes Care are a network of institutions designated by the Federation for their leadership in clinical care, education, and research related to diabetes. These centres serve as regional hubs for sharing best practices, providing training, supporting capacity-building initiatives, and contributing to multi-centre research. They also work to support the implementation of national health strategies related to diabetes.
The International Diabetes Federation collects and disseminates data to inform diabetes policy and planning worldwide.
The IDF Diabetes Atlas,[10] first published in 2000, is a biennial report providing global, regional, and country-level estimates of diabetes prevalence, mortality, health expenditures, and future projections. It is widely cited by policymakers, researchers, and health advocates as a source for data on the global diabetes burden. According to the 11th edition (2025), approximately 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 are living with diabetes, with projections suggesting this figure could rise to 853 million by 2050 if no significant interventions are implemented. The Atlas also reports that over 40% of adults with diabetes remain undiagnosed.[11]
Each edition of the Atlas includes analyses of vulnerable populations, the economic impact of diabetes, and associated complications such as cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. It also highlights disparities in diagnosis and care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The publication is developed by regional experts using data from peer-reviewed studies, national surveys, and sources such as the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory, and is referenced by international agencies including the United Nations and WHO.
In addition to the Atlas, the Federation publishes research on specific aspects of diabetes. Topics include:
- Type 1 diabetes: Global estimates and trends, with a focus on incidence and mortality in young people.
- Diabetes-related foot disease: The global burden of diabetic foot complications, a major cause of lower-limb amputation.
- Chronic kidney disease: The prevalence of kidney complications in people with diabetes, highlighting the importance of screening and integrated care.
- Cardio-renal-metabolic syndrome: Models for comprehensive care addressing overlapping cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic risks in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Indigenous populations: The disproportionate impact of diabetes on Indigenous communities, exploring social determinants of health and barriers to appropriate care.
The International Diabetes Federation engages in humanitarian activities in collaboration with partner organizations such as Direct Relief, providing diabetes-related aid in regions including Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
The Federation also supports the Life for a Child programme,[12] which supplies insulin, diabetes management tools, and clinical care to children and young people with diabetes in low-resource settings. As of 2025, the programme assists over 58,000 individuals across 53 countries through a combination of medical support, advocacy, and research activities.
