A recent study has revealed a startling increase in the number of adults living with diabetes worldwide, with over 800 million affected individuals. This figure is nearly double previous estimates and underscores a growing global health crisis.
The study, published in The Lancet, highlights that in 2022 alone, approximately 828 million people aged 18 and older were living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Alarmingly, among adults aged 30 and above, 445 million—accounting for 59 percent—were not receiving any form of treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously estimated the global diabetes population to be around 422 million. The new findings indicate that the diabetes rate has doubled since 1990, rising from about 7 percent to 14 percent. This surge is primarily driven by increasing cases in low- and middle-income countries, where access to treatment remains limited.
In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, the treatment gap is particularly concerning. Jean Claude Mbanya, a professor at the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon, pointed out that only 5-10 percent of individuals with diabetes in these areas are receiving necessary treatment. The high cost of insulin and diabetes medications contributes significantly to this treatment disparity.
\"A huge number [are] at risk of serious health complications,\" Mbanya emphasized, highlighting the urgent need for improved healthcare access and affordability.
The study was conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and the WHO, encompassing data from over 1,000 studies and more than 140 million people. By utilizing both high fasting plasma glucose levels and glycated haemoglobin measurements, the researchers aimed to provide a more accurate global estimate, particularly in regions like South Asia where traditional methods might miss cases.
While the study did not distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it is widely recognized that type 2 diabetes constitutes the majority of cases in adults, often linked to factors such as obesity and poor diet.
As the global diabetes rate continues to rise, the findings call for immediate action to bridge the treatment gap, especially in underserved regions. Addressing this issue is crucial not only for individual health but also for the broader goal of achieving sustainable global health outcomes.
Reference(s):
More than 800 million adults have diabetes globally, study suggests
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