A GROUNDBREAKING study led by Imperial College London, UK has revealed that over 800 million adults worldwide now live with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Researchers explain that global diabetes rates have doubled from 7% in 1990 to 14% in 2022, driven largely by rising cases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The study shows that, despite this surge, treatment levels in many LMICs have stagnated. In 2022, 445 million adults with diabetes (59% of all cases) remained untreated, three-and-a-half times the number in 1990. The authors warned of severe complications faced by untreated individuals, including heart disease, kidney damage, and premature death, particularly in LMICs where patients are often younger.
While treatment rates improved in wealthier regions such as North America, Australasia, and parts of Europe, the study revealed stark inequalities. For instance, treatment coverage in some sub-Saharan African countries remained below 10%, with most patients undiagnosed. India accounted for nearly one-third of untreated cases, with China, Pakistan, and Indonesia following closely.
The study identified obesity and poor diets as key drivers of type 2 diabetes, noting significant increases in countries like Pakistan, where rates in women tripled from 9% in 1990 to 30.9% in 2022. Conversely, countries like Japan and several Western European nations saw stable or declining diabetes rates due to healthier lifestyles and better healthcare access.
Researchers urged immediate action, calling for investment in diabetes prevention and treatment. Proposals include workplace screening, flexible healthcare hours, and policies promoting affordable healthy diets. The study authors stressed the importance of initiatives like subsidised healthy foods and safe public exercise spaces.
This comprehensive study, involving data from over 140 million people across 1,000 global studies, offers critical insights into the urgent need for equitable diabetes care. The team emphasised the importance of improving diagnosis and treatment in LMICs is vital to preventing severe health crises and closing the widening gap in global diabetes care.
Reference
NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Worldwide trends in diabetes prevalence and treatment from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 1108 population-representative studies with 141 million participants. Lancet. 2024;DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)02317-1.
