Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or glucose), or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces (WHO,2016).  It is one of the four priority, Non-Communicable Disease affecting millions of lives yearly.

WHO (2016) report states, globally an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980. The report also indicates a steady increase in diabetes around the world, reason being the disease is not solely a preserve of the rich, as considered formally. Changes in lifestyle behaviours and lifestyle choices have also significantly contributed to this increment.

The global prevalence (age-standardized) of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population. Consequently to diabetes and its associated health risk factors (overweight, obesity and physical inactivity) has been on the rise, hence the need for increased awareness and prevention campaigns. 

The risks factors associated with diabetes are also linked to other diseases. Thus diabetes awareness and prevention campaign ultimately seeks to kill two birds with one stone .i.e. diabetes, and other diseases with similar risk factors such as overweight, obesity and physical inactivity.

The 14th of November is World Diabetes Day, and the theme is WOMEN AND DIABETES OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY FUTURE. The International Diabetes Federation states diabetes as the 9^th leading cause of death in women globally.  In Ghana statics reveal, diabetes and other related risk factors are more predominant in women than men. 

It’s against this backdrop the Global Zion Missions Initiative, Ghana, (GZMI) is organising a health walk and health screening exercise on the 25^th of November 2017 dubbed WALK AWAY FROM DIABETES to raise awareness on diabetes. The Health Screening takes place at the Madina No. 1 school park. Hence is inviting the general populace to the health screening exercise.

Global Zion Missions Initiative is a registered non-profit organisation wing of the A.M.E  Zion Church, Western West Africa Episcopal District ( Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, and Liberia).The organisation reaches out to the community in four key areas i.e. Good Governance, Education, Healthcare Livelihood.