Diabetes is one of the most costly and burdensome chronic diseases of our time and is reaching pandemic proportions throughout the world. Diabetes is frequently associated with long-term complications causing damage or failure of various organs such as the eyes, kidneys and nerves. Premature disability in this group of patients results in the loss of productivity, increased morbidity and mortality rates, and higher health care costs. Health care costs of diabetes rise because of increasing number of newly diagnosed cases of diabetes and its complications. Preventive measures in diabetes especially type 2 accounting for 90% of cases worldwide can be properly applied because most of the risk factors are well known. Prevention is less costly financial resources than the treatment, but the measurable economic and social profits will be seen in the future. The management of diabetes should be changed from traditional medical to the activity of public health. Public health messages, health care professionals and health care systems should all encourage behavior changes to achieve a healthy lifestyle that can prevent type 2 diabetes.