Diabetes Global Surge Reaches Over 800 Million People Worldwide

Medical News: Alarming Rise in Global Diabetes Cases
A recent international study reveals a troubling reality for the global population: diabetes cases have exploded over recent decades, with more than 800 million adults now living with the disease. This massive increase represents a fourfold jump from the early 1990s, according to data published in the prestigious journal, The Lancet, ahead of World Diabetes Day. Even more concerning, the study suggests that more than half of the adults diagnosed with diabetes are not receiving treatment.


Diabetes Global Surge Reaches Over 800 Million People Worldwide
 
This Medical News report delves into the staggering numbers and implications of untreated diabetes. Researchers estimate that in 2022 alone, 445 million adults over the age of 30 had diabetes but were not receiving any form of medical care, a figure more than three times higher than that recorded in 1990. The highest numbers were reported in South Asia, where over a quarter of the world’s diabetics live, primarily in India and China. Major countries impacted include the U.S., Pakistan, Indonesia, and Brazil.
 
Study Methodology and Objectives
The groundbreaking study conducted by the Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) is the first to analyze diabetes trends and treatment rates worldwide. Researchers from institutions like Imperial College London and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation led the effort, using extensive data from over 140 million people aged 18 and older. The data was gathered from more than 1,000 population-based studies conducted across different years and countries.
 
Diabetes Rates by Country and Gender
Since 1990, diabetes rates have more than doubled, now affecting 14.3% of men and 13.9% of women globally. The report found that low- and middle-income countries have experienced the most significant increases. For instance, diabetes rates in Pakistan skyrocketed among women, from 9% in 1990 to nearly 31% in 2022. High-income countries, such as Japan and several Western European nations, saw a slower rate of increase or even slight declines in diabetes cases. Western European nations like France, Spain, and Denmark, as well as Canada, were among those showing either stable or decreased rates.
 
The Role of Obesity and Unhealthy Lifestyles
A major contributing factor to rising diabetes rates is the global spread of obesity, largely due to unhealthy diets and lifestyle changes. In areas like the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, and some parts of Africa, obesity rates have climbed rapidly, which has fueled increases in diabetes. By contrast, in wealthier regions, obesity has either remained stable or increased only moderately. This highlights a major disparity in health trends between low-income and high-income nations. In high-income countries, people with a genetic predisposition to diabetes often have more resources and access to healthcare, allowing them to prevent or manage the disease.
 
A Growing Health Crisis in Low-Income Nation s
Professor Majid Ezzati from Imperial College London, the senior author of the study, expressed concern about the disparities. He stated that a significant number of diabetic patients in low-income countries are younger, making them vulnerable to long-term complications such as vision loss, heart disease, kidney damage, and even premature death. The rate of diabetes treatment in these countries has also remained stagnant over the past two decades, meaning millions face the prospect of debilitating health issues due to lack of care.

In stark contrast, countries like Belgium have achieved the highest diabetes treatment rates globally, with 86% of women and 77% of men receiving medication. Despite advancements in some nations, the divide between countries with effective diabetes care and those without continues to widen.
 
The Study’s Key Findings on Untreated Diabetes
Three out of every five adults over the age of 30 with diabetes remain untreated, posing serious health risks. Since 1990, some regions - like Central and Western Europe, Latin America, and East Asia - have made notable progress in diabetes treatment. In these areas, over half of those with diabetes are now receiving treatment. However, countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have alarmingly low treatment rates, with some regions reporting that fewer than 10% of diabetic adults receive necessary care.
 
Professor Jean Claude Mbanya from the University of Yaoundé 1 in Cameroon stressed the urgent need for improved diabetes screening and diagnosis in underserved regions. The research team noted that untreated diabetes is most prevalent in countries with limited healthcare access and insufficient diagnosis services.
 
Recommendations for Addressing the Global Diabetes Epidemic
Given the grim statistics, the researchers recommend immediate action to curb diabetes rates and improve access to treatment. A key focus should be on reducing obesity through healthy diets and promoting physical activity. In addition, lower-income countries need affordable access to essential diabetes treatments, as well as improved detection and management services.

Diabetes can often be managed with medications and lifestyle modifications, but this requires a robust healthcare infrastructure that includes regular screenings and easy access to medicines. As Dr. Ranjit Mohan Anjana from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in India explained, “Implementing measures such as subsidies for healthy foods, free school meals, and safe spaces for exercise could significantly improve public health and reduce diabetes rates in many vulnerable communities.”
 
Conclusions
The findings of this global study underscore the widening inequality in diabetes prevalence and treatment. Countries that lack access to necessary healthcare resources are burdened with an ever-increasing population of untreated diabetes patients. Left unchecked, this trend could lead to severe health crises, particularly in low-income nations where younger people with untreated diabetes may experience a lifetime of complications. The study’s authors emphasize that a collaborative, international effort is needed to reverse the spread of diabetes through preventive measures, affordable healthcare, and increased awareness. Universal health insurance systems and policies encouraging early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes must be established, particularly in regions where the healthcare infrastructure is currently inadequate.
 
Efforts to improve diabetes management should include innovative strategies such as community-based health screening programs, extended healthcare facility hours, and targeted support for those at high risk. By enhancing access to affordable healthcare, especially in low-income and middle-income countries, it may be possible to prevent millions of deaths and alleviate the financial strain diabetes places on families and healthcare systems worldwide.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: The Lancet.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02317-1/fulltext
 
Other Relevant References:
https://ncdrisc.org/country-profile.html
 
https://ncdrisc.org/data-visualisations-diabetes.html
 
For the latest Diabetes News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
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