Discovery Health channel to present diabetes documentary

NEW YORK Discovery Health, with support from an unrestricted educational grant from Novo Nordisk, will present the documentary “Diabetes: A Global Epidemic”—the definitive look at how diabetes affects the global community commercial-free on Nov. 18 at 9 a.m., Discovery announced Monday.

“This groundbreaking documentary shows diabetes for what it is: the silent epidemic of the 21st century, which doesn’t discriminate between culture, continent or civilization,” stated Lise Kingo, executive vice president at Novo Nordisk. “The film also captures the care, professionalism and determination of all those who live with, treat and seek new treatments for diabetes around the world and who are working toward consigning diabetes to medical history.”

Medical professionals are eligible to receive CME credits for viewing “Diabetes: A Global Epidemic.” More information is available at DiscoveryHealthCME.com.

The documentary follows Francine Kaufman, former American Diabetes Association president and head of the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, in a tour across the world. Over a six-month period, Kaufman journeys from Los Angeles to Cape Town, South Africa; Chennai, India; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Melbourne and Perth, Australia; and Helsinki, Finland.

In her travels, Kaufman meets with physicians and diabetes thought leaders to discuss the challenges of combating the disease, as well as their success stories of treatment and prevention. In addition, she spends time with diabetes patients of all ages who share their personal stories and offer a unique insight into the realities of living with the disease.

Currently, more than 246 million people worldwide are living with the disease, a number that is expected to explode to 380 million within 20 years.

The documentary will be narrated by five-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close and documents diabetes’ escalating human and economic toll across differing cultures and health care systems.

The documentary’s premiere comes on the heels of a historic milestone—the first United Nations World Diabetes Day, which will be observed on Nov. 14.