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Pakistani
Youth Vulnerable to Diabetes
Pakistan is
amongst the 10 countries in the world that are most affected by
diabetes and six of these countries are Asian. With prevalence in
developing countries threatening to spiral by a staggering 170 per
cent by the year 2025, diabetes has been labelled 'Asia's new epidemic'
by Time magazine.
While intensive
efforts by local and international health organisations, health
personnel and the media have helped accelerate awareness of diabetes
in Pakistan, current patient numbers and estimates of those who
will be engulfed by this disease in the future remain intimidating.
This alarming
situation will be discussed at a World Diabetes Day programme being
organised by Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi on December 5, 2004,
at the University Auditorium at 4:00 PM. Through this public awareness
event, AKU aims to contribute towards the global objective of highlighting
the importance of regular exercise, weight loss and healthy eating
habits, not only in the control of diabetes but also in its prevention.
This campaign is primarily targeted at those individuals, including
children and young adults, who are at high risk of developing this
disorder later in life.
AKU tailors
its programmes to the realities and constraints of developing country
contexts, with a focus on producing low-cost, accessible and innovative
solutions that are relevant to, and which address, the endemic problems
of a region beset by financial difficulties and low development
indicators.
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