World Diabetes Day 2025

World Diabetes Day | 14 November 2025

Theme for 2025: Diabetes and Well-Being at Work

? Why Do We Celebrate World Diabetes Day?

World Diabetes Day was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the rising global burden of diabetes. In 2007, the United Nations declared 14 November an official international health day.

? Why 14 November?

This date marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, the scientist who—together with Charles Best—discovered insulin in 1922. Their discovery transformed diabetes from a fatal illness into a treatable chronic condition.

? Diabetes: A Growing Global & National Concern

• Global Impact
  • Over 537 million adults worldwide live with diabetes.
  • Expected to reach 643 million by 2030.
  • Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and lower limb amputation.

• Malaysia’s Reality
  • Malaysia has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in Asia.
  • About 1 in 5 adults are living with diabetes.
  • Many individuals remain undiagnosed until complications arise.
  • Lifestyle factors—urbanisation, diet, stress, and limited physical activity—play a significant role.

? How UMBI Contributes to Diabetes Research

At the UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), researchers work to advance diabetes science through:

1. Genomic & biomarker research for early detection

• Characterizing the genetic risk for Type 2 diabetes in a Malaysian multi-ethnic cohort
• Interactions Among Non-Coding RNAs in Diabetic Nephropathy
• Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Cardiovascular Disease Complication of Type 2 Diabetes
• Genetic Factors for Coronary Heart Disease and Their Mechanisms: A Meta-Analysis and Comprehensive Review of Common Variants from Genome-Wide Association Studies
• Coronary Heart Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Genetic Factors and Their Mechanisms, Gene-Gene, and Gene-Environment Interactions in the Asian Populations
• Gene-environment interaction in chronic kidney disease among people with type 2 diabetes from The Malaysian Cohort project: a case-control study
• Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Gene Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy in Asian Populations: An Updated Meta-analysis
• Genetics of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Malaysia: a review

2. Precision medicine strategies to understand individual risk

• Predicting type 2 diabetes using genetic and environmental risk factors in a multi-ethnic Malaysian cohort
• Cardiovascular risk prediction with cardio-ankle vascular index in The Malaysian Cohort study
• Research Updates Series in Molecular Medicine No. 24/2025

3. Population studies to map trends and prevention strategies

• Differing Contributions of Classical Risk Factors to Type 2 Diabetes in Multi-Ethnic Malaysian Populations
• The architecture of risk for type 2 diabetes: understanding Asia in the context of global findings
• Linking Creatinine-to-Body Weight Ratio with Diabetes Incidence: A Multiethnic Malaysian Cohort Study
• Type 2 Diabetes and Cancer Screening – Findings from The Malaysian Cohort Study
• Case Control Study O Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Preliminary Findings from the Malaysia Cohort Study

4. AI-driven predictive models for cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes

• Cardiovascular Disease Prediction from Electrocardiogram by Using Machine Learning
• Cardiovascular Disease Prediction Among the Malaysian Cohort Participants Using Electrocardiogram
• Cardiovascular complications in a diabetes prediction model using machine learning: a systematic review
• Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Prediction Model Development Using Machine Learning

5. Collaborative projects under UMBI and The Malaysian Cohort, and other national and international initiatives

• PRIME Study: Precision Medicine in T2DM for Malaysia.
• Risk prediction of cardiovascular disease in the Asia-Pacific region: the SCORE2 Asia-Pacific model
• Webinar Precision Medicine in Malaysia: Ready for Prime Time
• PRecision medicine for diabetic Individuals: a joint Malaysia- UK Effort (PRIME): Close out Symposium
• The PRIME collaboration
• Obesity and non-communicable disease in Malaysia: an imaging study of 6000 adults in the Malaysian Cohort Study 

? What Can You Do Today?

• ✔️ 1. Know Your Numbers

  • Schedule a screening for:
  • Fasting glucose
  • HbA1c
  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Kidney function

• ✔️ 2. Build Healthier Daily Habits

  • Choose balanced meals
  • Be physically active
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Reduce sugary drinks
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage stress

• ✔️ 3. Support Awareness & Research

  • Share reliable information, encourage loved ones to screen, and support health initiatives.

? We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our grant funders, collaborators, patients, their families, and our dedicated team and staff for their unwavering commitment.

Our goal: better prediction, better treatment, and better quality of life for Malaysians.

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SDG 3 | SDG 4 | SDG 17

Keywords: Diseases, Health, Wellbeing, Education, Global Parnership, Knowledge sharing