Diabetes: WHO's response

The WHO Global Diabetes Compact is an initiative launched by the World Health Organization in 2021 to respond to the increasing burden of diabetes around the world. Its launch coincided with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. 

The Compact aims to reduce the risk of diabetes and ensure that all people who are diagnosed with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.

The Compact works across six interconnected workstreams to address the global burden of diabetes: 

1. access to essential diabetes medicines and associated health technologies
2. technical products
3. prevention, health promotion and health literacy
4. country support
5. research and innovation;
6. governance.

WHO Member States have endorsed a set of global diabetes coverage targets to be achieved by 2030 to strengthen diabetes care and reduce the burden of the disease. These targets are part of the WHO Global Diabetes Compact and reflect key areas where progress is needed most.

The five global diabetes coverage targets are:

• 80% of people with diabetes are diagnosed;  
• 80% of people with diagnosed diabetes have good control of glycaemia;  
• 80% of people with diagnosed diabetes have good control of blood pressure;  
• 60% of people with diabetes of 40 years or older receive statins; and  
• 100% of people with type 1 diabetes have access to affordable insulin and blood glucose self-monitoring.

WHO supports countries through the WHO Global Diabetes Compact, working across global, regional and country levels to support ministries of health strengthen their national diabetes responses. This includes technical assistance to develop or update national policies and guidelines, integrate diabetes care into primary health care services and improve access to essential medicines such as insulin. WHO also provides tools and guidance for monitoring and health system planning, enabling countries to track progress towards the global diabetes coverage targets. In addition, WHO works with governments to implement evidence‑based service delivery packages, such as WHO-PEN and HEARTS-D. There are ongoing initiatives across all WHO regions to translate the Global Diabetes Compact into real-world impact.

The WHO Global Diabetes Compact works with a broad range of partners, and you can find out more about opportunities to get involved on the following pages:

• Engagement of people living with diabetes 
• WHO Technical Advisory Group on Diabetes (TAG-D), for individuals with expertise in diabetes; and 
• Global Diabetes Compact Forum, for non-State actors, such as nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic organizations and academic institutions, working in diabetes. 

For up-to-date information about opportunities to get involved, sign up for the WHO Global Diabetes Compact monthly newsletter. 

World Diabetes Day takes place every year on 14 November. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about diabetes as a critical global public health issue and emphasize the collective and individual actions needed to improve prevention, diagnosis and management.  

Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation with support from WHO, World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006. It was set up in response to growing concerns about the health and economic threats posed by diabetes. 

The WHO Global Diabetes Compact regularly produces publications and technical guidance on different aspects of diabetes prevention, diagnosis and management.