2025/01/20 Global Diabetes Cases Reach Alarming Levels with Treatment Gaps Persisting

A recent study published in The Lancet reveals a dramatic surge in global diabetes rates, with over 800 million adults now living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, more than four times the total in 1990. Conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) in partnership with the World Health Organization, the research underscores growing global disparities in diabetes prevalence and treatment. The study analyzed data from over 140 million people across more than 1,000 studies, representing diverse populations worldwide. From 1990 to 2022, global diabetes prevalence doubled for both men and women, rising from 6.8% to 14.3% in men and 6.9% to 13.9% in women. Population growth and aging further contributed to an estimated 828 million adults with diabetes in 2022, up from 198 million in 1990.
 
India and China recorded the highest numbers of adults with diabetes, with 212 million and 148 million cases, respectively. The United States, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Brazil also featured prominently. Countries like Pakistan experienced the largest increases in diabetes prevalence, while some high-income nations, including Japan and Western European countries, saw stable or declining rates. Obesity and poor diets were identified as key drivers of rising type 2 diabetes rates, particularly in regions where obesity rates surged between 1990 and 2022. The study noted substantial geographic variations, with diabetes rates as low as 2-5% in Western Europe and East Africa but exceeding 25% in Pacific Island nations, the Caribbean, and parts of the Middle East.
 
Alarmingly, the study found that 445 million adults aged 30 and older—59% of those with diabetes—remained untreated in 2022, more than triple the number in 1990. Treatment rates showed stark inequalities, with high-income countries like Belgium achieving coverage of over 75%, while in many low- and middle-income countries, over 90% of individuals with diabetes lacked treatment. In countries like India and sub-Saharan Africa, untreated diabetes remains a critical concern. India alone accounted for nearly one-third (133 million) of untreated diabetes cases, due in part to lower treatment coverage compared to China, which had a smaller untreated population despite high diabetes prevalence.
 
The study also highlighted the severe health risks faced by untreated individuals, including complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss. Senior author Professor Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London emphasized the need for urgent policy measures in low-income regions to improve diabetes detection, treatment, and prevention. Addressing diabetes requires bold actions, such as promoting healthy diets, restricting unhealthy food access, and expanding community health initiatives. Strategies like workplace screenings, flexible healthcare hours, and integration with existing disease care programs could enhance diagnosis and treatment.
 
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02317-1/fulltext