Diabetes in adults nearly doubles worldwide, study suggests

More than 800 million adults worldwide have been diagnosed with diabetes, a staggering number that is almost double what was previously estimated. A recent study published in The Lancet revealed that the global prevalence of diabetes has doubled since 1990, with rates increasing from seven percent to 14 percent. This significant rise has been primarily driven by a surge in cases in low- and middle-income countries.

Despite the dramatic increase in diabetes cases, treatment rates in these regions have not seen a corresponding improvement. In fact, the study found that over half of adults aged 30 and older with diabetes are not receiving any form of treatment. This treatment gap is widening between higher-income countries, where treatment rates have improved, and low- and middle-income countries where access to care remains limited.

According to the study, in 2022, there were approximately 828 million adults aged 18 and older living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes worldwide. Shockingly, 59 percent of adults aged 30 and older were not receiving any treatment for their condition. The World Health Organization had previously estimated that around 422 million people had diabetes, making the new findings even more alarming.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern over the rapid rise in diabetes cases documented in the study. He emphasized the urgent need for countries to take action to control the global diabetes epidemic through policies promoting healthy diets, physical activity, and improved health systems for prevention, detection, and treatment.

In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where access to diabetes treatment is limited, only a small percentage of those with the condition are receiving care. Professor Jean Claude Mbanya from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon highlighted the significant health risks faced by those with untreated diabetes, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications.

The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and the WHO, is the first global analysis to provide estimates of diabetes rates and treatment coverage for all countries. Based on data from over 1,000 studies involving more than 140 million individuals, the study used common diagnostic criteria for diabetes, including high fasting plasma glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin, as well as medication use.

While the study could not differentiate between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes cases, previous evidence suggests that the majority of diabetes cases in adults are Type 2, which is closely linked to factors such as obesity and poor diet. The authors stressed the importance of addressing these risk factors through preventive measures and improved access to care to reduce the burden of diabetes worldwide.