Free · Live on YouTube
World Diabetes Day: Early Action on Diabetes
Sunday 15 November 2026 · 2pm GMT
UK 2pm · India 7:30pm · East Africa 5pm · Mauritius 6pm
Free, no registration. 2pm to 6pm GMT: join for any part of the afternoon.
Doctors, diabetes specialists and nutrition students and graduates from the UK and India share what early action looks like in real life: knowing your risk, getting checked and the everyday changes that help. The stream plays right here, or watch on YouTube or Facebook and join the live chat.
You will need: a tape measure, a pen and paper, and your questions for the live chat.
Also: watch on Facebook (opens in a new tab) · Apple or Outlook calendar · subscribe on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
Programme
Who you will hear from
Sunday 18 October, in running order. Times are UK time (BST); if you are elsewhere, your local time shows in green.
Welcome
Healing Our Earth · Opening World Diabetes Day: Early Action on Diabetes
Kirit Mistry
Senior episode producer · Founder, South Asian Health Action · The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme and the Diabetes UK risk score
View poster for Kirit Mistry (opens in a new tab)Dr Nandita Shah
Founder, SHARAN, India · Beyond Diabetes Management: From Knowing to Doing
View poster for Dr Nandita Shah (opens in a new tab)Dr Mayur Patel
MD, PhD, FIAMS, MNAMS · Chairman, Swasthya Diabetes Care, Ahmedabad · Stop Diabetes: Improve metabolic health and prevent diabetes
View poster for Dr Mayur Patel (opens in a new tab)Rt Hon Keith Vaz
Chairman, Silver Star Diabetes · Tackling diabetes in South Asian communities through awareness and screening
View poster for Rt Hon Keith Vaz (opens in a new tab)Khushi Gupta
BSc Nutrition and Medical Sciences student, UCL · Nutrition approaches for prevention and management of diabetes
View poster for Khushi Gupta (opens in a new tab)Rania Aboobakar
BSc Nutrition and Medical Sciences graduate, UCL · Nutrition approaches for prevention and management of diabetes
View poster for Rania Aboobakar (opens in a new tab)Nawal Rehan
Presenting with Khushi Gupta and Rania Aboobakar · Nutrition approaches for prevention and management of diabetes
View poster for Nawal Rehan (opens in a new tab)Rtn Lal Goel
Founder and Charter President, Rotary Club of Organ Donation International · Chairman, Organ Donation India Foundation and GYAN · Panel: Diabetes, impact on organs
View poster for Rtn Lal Goel (opens in a new tab)Dr Rajiv Kovil
Chairman, Zandra Healthcare · Consultant Diabetologist, Nanavati Hospital and S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai · Panel: Diabetes, impact on organs
View poster for Dr Rajiv Kovil (opens in a new tab)Prof Dr Pushpa Saravanan
MD, D.Diab. · Institute of Diabetology, Madras Medical College, Chennai · Panel: Diabetes, impact on organs
View poster for Prof Dr Pushpa Saravanan (opens in a new tab)More speakers to be announced
Healing Our Earth · Our 5pm to 6pm line-up is being finalised
Times are a guide and may move a little on the day.
Why this episode
Early action changes the story
More than 500 million people live with diabetes, and almost half of them have not been diagnosed, according to the International Diabetes Federation. That is why its World Diabetes Day theme is early action: finding diabetes sooner and lowering the risk before it starts.
South Asian families face a higher risk, and from a younger age. Diabetes UK says people of South Asian, Black African and African Caribbean heritage can be at risk of type 2 diabetes from the age of 25, compared with 40 for white people. On Sunday, with South Asian Health Action, our speakers explain how to check your risk, what support the NHS offers, and the food and lifestyle changes that make a real difference. Healing Our Earth has broadcast free every Sunday since April 2020.
Join in this week
Six ways to act early this week
Small steps you can take before Sunday, whatever your age or health.
Know your risk
Check your risk of type 2 diabetes in a few minutes with the free Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk.
Before Sunday
Measure your waist
Measure around your middle, halfway between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone. Extra fat around the middle is linked to a higher risk.
Tape measure
Ask about a check-up
In England, adults aged 40 to 74 can ask their GP practice about a free NHS Health Check. If you have been told your blood sugar is high, ask about the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
NHS support
Swap one thing on your plate
Fill half your plate with vegetables, choose wholegrain chapati or brown rice, and keep mithai and fried snacks for special days.
Food
Walk after meals
A ten-minute walk after your main meal is an easy habit to start. The NHS recommends adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week.
Movement
Bring someone with you
Type 2 diabetes often runs in families. Share the risk tool with parents and grown-up children, and invite them to watch with you on Sunday.
Together
Questions
Something else? Message us on Telegram.
Do I need to register or pay?
No. The episode is free and open to everyone. Join us on this page, YouTube or Facebook at 2pm UK time.
What time is it where I am?
UK 2:00pm, Central Europe 3:00pm, East Africa 5:00pm, Mauritius and Dubai 6:00pm, India 7:30pm, Hong Kong and Singapore 10:00pm, New York 9:00am.
Can I ask a question?
Yes. Type it into the live chat during the broadcast, or send it to us on Telegram beforehand.
What if I miss it?
The full recording stays on our YouTube channel and plays on this page, so you can watch whenever suits you.
How can I check my risk of type 2 diabetes?
Use the free Diabetes UK Know Your Risk tool at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk. It takes a few minutes and asks about your age, family history, ethnicity, height, weight and waist, and whether you have high blood pressure.
Is this medical advice?
No. The episode and this page share general information about diabetes. Please talk to your GP, nurse or pharmacist about your own health, and do not change any medicine without their advice.
See you on Sunday at 2pm
Bring your family, your questions and a tape measure. Know the risk. Act early. Live well.
General information about diabetes only, not a substitute for advice from your own doctor. Healing Our Earth broadcasts free every Sunday.
