Historical & Current Events dictionary

National Diabetes Month

or American Diabetes Month or Diabetes Awareness Month [ nash-uh-nl dahy-uh-bee-teez muhnth ]

What is National Diabetes Month?

National Diabetes Month is a monthlong observance in the US each year dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes.

There are multiple forms of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Forms that are less well known include latent autoimmune diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.

In any of its forms, diabetes involves the body not being able to properly produce or react to insulin, a hormone that regulates the metabolism of glucose and other nutrients. Management of diabetes often involves a special diet, monitoring, and taking insulin.

There are several symbols associated with National Diabetes Month. The most popular is a blue circle, often with a red heart or blood drop in it. Others include a gray ribbon, a blue ribbon, and a ribbon that is gray on one side and blue on the other. The ribbon may or may not have a blood drop on it.

Relatedly, World Diabetes Day is observed on November 14, the birthday of Sir Frederick Grant Banting, one of the discoverers of insulin.

🗓 When is National Diabetes Month?

National Diabetes Month takes place every year in November.

Related words

Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, Autism Awareness Month, BIPOC Mental Health Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month

Where does National Diabetes Month come from?

dark blue text "National Diabetes Month" on blue background

November was officially declared as National Diabetes Month in 1981, but the observance traces back to at least 1975.

The US Department of Health and Human Services often creates a theme for National Diabetes Month. In 2021, the theme was Small Steps, Big Difference, focusing on diabetes prevention.

Examples of National Diabetes Month

November serves as National Diabetes Month and gives focus to a disease that affects 122 million Americans and affects various demographics and populations.
Natalie C. Hockaday, The Washington Informer, November 10, 2021
It's National Diabetes Month. This year’s focus is on prediabetes & preventing diabetes: CDC states more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes—most people don’t know they have it. The good news is small healthy lifestyle changes could help significantly.
@RNDC_USA, November 17, 2021
For National Diabetes Month I’m asking you to educate yourself on what it means to live with diabetes. I’ve watched my mother and many close friends live with diabetes for years and the best way to learn is to listen when diabetics tell you what they need and how they’re feeling.
@Cahappymeal, November 17, 2021
SEE MORE EXAMPLES

More information and context on National Diabetes Month

Did you know … ?

  • Over 34 million people in the United States have diabetes.
  • Diabetes predominantly affects People of Color.
  • Some types of diabetes are chronic, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Other types of diabetes are temporary, such as gestational diabetes.

What are other words used in discussion of National Diabetes Month?

Just Added

Earth Day, yassification, ♈ Aries Emoji, Autism Acceptance Month, Autism Awareness Month

Note

This is not meant to be a formal definition of National Diabetes Month like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of National Diabetes Month that will help our users expand their word mastery.

  • Other categories