National Glucose Awareness Week from September 23–29 raises awareness and is a vital reminder of how important it is to understand and manage your blood sugar levels. A staggering one-third of the U.S. population has diabetes or prediabetes1, and if left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health issues including life-threatening complications.2 Stable glucose levels are essential for diabetes management3, yet only 10% of people with Type 2 diabetes* or prediabetes say they understand the factors that cause changes in their glucose “extremely well.”4 With diabetes on the rise and awareness on the decline, the time is now to close this knowledge gap and help millions get glucose aware.
History of National Glucose Awareness Week
Glucose is sugar that circulates in your body, serving as the primary fuel source for your body’s cells. It powers everything from your brain’s thought processes to your muscles’ movements during daily activities.5
Your body relies on stable glucose levels to function optimally. From providing energy for your cells to supporting vital organ function, glucose plays a critical role in your overall health and well-being.
Understanding glucose and keeping glucose levels stable is especially important for the more than 125 million Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes – but a recent survey found only 10% of people with Type 2 diabetes* or prediabetes said they understand the factors that cause changes in their glucose levels “extremely well.”4
National Glucose Awareness Week from September 23-29 will help close the glucose knowledge gap and encourage people to take action to own their glucose health. The week will feature a variety of educational resources about the importance of glucose health and information about new, cutting-edge glucose biosensing technology.
National Glucose Awareness Week timeline
German chemist Andreas Marggraf is the first person to discover glucose through grapes.
French Chemist André Dumas coins the term glucose, derived from the Greek word ‘gleukos’ referring to the sweet compound obtained from honey and grapes.
British scientist Sir Edward Albert Sharpey-Schafer discovers that people with diabetes have a problem with insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps control glucose sugar in the blood. If your body doesn't use insulin properly, it can lead to diabetes.
Glucose monitors that require painful fingersticks become available, allowing people with diabetes and prediabetes to check their blood sugar levels at home.
For the first time without a prescription, millions of people can access glucose biosensing technology – a revolutionary tool for glucose tracking made easy.
Dexcom, the global leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring for people with diabetes, in partnership with the nonprofit Beyond Type 2 and actress Retta, establishes National Glucose Awareness Week and the first observation takes place. Want to be a sponsor: learn how.
National Glucose Awareness Week FAQs
What is National Glucose Awareness Week?
National Glucose Awareness Week will help close the glucose knowledge gap and encourage people to take action to own their glucose health. The week will feature a variety of educational resources about the importance of glucose health and information about new, cutting-edge glucose biosensing technology.
What’s glucose?
Glucose is sugar that circulates in your body, serving as the primary fuel source for your body’s cells. It powers everything from your brain’s thought processes to your muscles’ movements during daily activities.5
Why should I care about glucose?
Your body relies on stable glucose levels to function optimally. From providing energy for your cells to supporting vital organ function, glucose plays a critical role in your overall health and well-being.
What impacts glucose levels?
Lifestyle factors that can affect your glucose include food, exercise, sleep, stress, medication, dehydration and hormonal changes.
Who needs to know about glucose?
Everyone! And for people with diabetes and prediabetes, understanding glucose is especially important in the quest to own your health.
How to Observe National Glucose Awareness Week
Learn the basics of blood sugar
Use this week to better understand what glucose is and why it matters. Knowing how your body uses sugar for energy can help you make better choices every day. Look for simple guides or short videos that break it down clearly.
Get moving every day
Physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively and keeps your blood sugar stable. Even a brisk 20-minute walk after dinner can help.
Spread the word
Share tips, facts, or even your own healthy changes to inspire others and raise awareness. The more people who understand the importance of glucose health, the better.
5 Fascinating Facts About Glucose
Glucose is our body’s fuel
Glucose is sugar that circulates in your body, serving as the primary fuel source for your body's cells. It powers everything from your brain's thought processes to your muscles' movements during daily activities.5
Many things can impact glucose
From your morning bagel to your nightly Zs, lifestyle factors that can affect your glucose include food, exercise, sleep, stress, medication, dehydration and hormonal changes.
Underdiagnosed population
A whopping 20% of people with Type 2 diabetes and 80% of those with prediabetes are undiagnosed, meaning they don’t even know they need to pay attention to their glucose levels.1
Lack of glucose awareness
More than 1 in 10 (15%) people with Type 2 diabetes* or prediabetes say they have no understanding of metabolic health4—of which glucose is a key indicator.
Confusion around glucose management
Since receiving their diagnosis, 45% of people with Type 2 diabetes* and prediabetes have faced confusion around how to effectively manage the condition, and half have faced decreased confidence in their overall health.4
Why National Glucose Awareness Week is Important
Diabetes is a growing epidemic in the U.S.
A staggering one-third of the U.S. population has diabetes or prediabetes1, and if left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health issues including life-threatening complications.2
National Glucose Awareness Week activities motivate and encourage
National Glucose Awareness Week encourages people to learn about the importance of glucose on health and to take action to own their glucose health. The week features a variety of educational resources about the importance of glucose health and information about new, cutting-edge glucose biosensing technology. The week will also include chances for participants to win prizes as they expand their knowledge and spread the word about the importance of being glucose aware.
Glucose biosensing easily tracks glucose
Glucose biosensors reveal how food, exercise and sleep affect glucose and provide easy-to-understand insights to help people better monitor their glucose. Now, for the first time without a prescription in the U.S., millions of people can access glucose biosensing technology.
National Glucose Awareness Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September 23–29 | Monday–Sunday |
