New stats show close to a billion people have diabetes, but most cannot get proper treatment.

A comprehensive global analysis published ahead of World Diabetes Day has revealed that over 800 million adults are now living with diabetes worldwide. 

The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration in collaboration with the World Health Organization, highlights that the prevalence of diabetes has more than quadrupled since 1990.

From 1990 to 2022, the global diabetes rate for adults nearly doubled, rising from approximately 7 to 14 per cent. 

This increase is largely attributed to growing rates in low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare systems face challenges in managing the escalating burden.

The study identified a significant treatment gap. 

In 2022, approximately 59 per cent of adults aged 30 and older with diabetes - around 445 million people - did not receive medication for the condition. This figure is 3.5 times higher than in 1990. 

While high-income regions, such as North America, Australasia, and parts of Europe, saw improvements in diabetes treatment rates, progress stagnated in many poorer countries.

Professor Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London expressed concern over the disparity, saying; “Our study highlights widening global inequalities in diabetes, with treatment rates stagnating in many low- and middle-income countries where numbers of adults with diabetes are drastically increasing”. 

Australian data included in the analysis revealed that the percentage of the population living with diabetes rose by 5.4 per cent among women and 3.8 per cent among men from 1990 to 2022. 

However, the proportion of Australians receiving treatment for diabetes improved by 20 per cent over the same period, reflecting a stronger focus on healthcare access and management.

The report says obesity and poor dietary habits are primary drivers of type 2 diabetes. Countries where obesity rates have significantly increased, particularly in the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, also reported higher diabetes prevalence.

“Preventing diabetes through healthy diet and exercise is essential for better health throughout the world,” says Dr Ranjit Mohan Anjana from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation.

The study’s authors called for increased investment in diabetes detection and treatment, especially in low- and middle-income countries. 

They call for policies to improve access to healthy foods, subsidise fresh produce, and promote physical activity through community initiatives. Innovations such as workplace screenings and extended clinic hours were also recommended to improve diagnosis and treatment rates.

“Most people with untreated diabetes will not have received a diagnosis, therefore increasing detection of diabetes must be an urgent priority in countries with low levels of treatment,” says Professor Jean Claude Mbanya from the University of Yaoundé.

The findings, based on data from 141 million participants across 200 countries, suggest an urgent need for global efforts to address diabetes as a public health crisis. 

Without intervention, the increasing prevalence and treatment disparities could lead to higher rates of complications and mortality, particularly in underserved regions.

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