LONDON: A recent study reveals that over 800 million adults worldwide have diabetes, nearly double previous estimates. The research, published in The Lancet, shows that in 2022, approximately 828 million adults aged 18 and older had type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Notably, among adults aged over 30, 445 million—59%—were not receiving necessary treatment.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) previously estimated around 422 million people worldwide had diabetes, a chronic condition affecting blood sugar levels that can harm the heart, blood vessels, nerves, and other organs if untreated. However, this new study underscores the far-reaching scope of diabetes, highlighting a rapid increase in cases and the urgent need for improved healthcare interventions.
The study indicates a global doubling of diabetes rates since 1990, rising from 7% to 14%. This surge is primarily attributed to increasing cases in low- and middle-income countries, where access to treatment remains limited. Despite the rapid rise in diabetes rates, treatment access in these regions has seen minimal improvement, widening the care gap compared to some higher-income nations that have made notable advances in diabetes management.
Conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration in collaboration with WHO, this study is the first comprehensive global analysis of diabetes rates and treatment availability across all countries. The researchers based their findings on over 1,000 studies involving data from more than 140 million individuals.
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These findings call attention to the urgent need for equitable access to diabetes care and preventive strategies, particularly in regions where healthcare resources are constrained. The study emphasizes that, without intervention, the increasing prevalence of untreated diabetes could lead to a greater global health burden. Addressing this challenge will require coordinated international efforts to improve access to medical care, raise awareness, and implement effective public health policies to manage and reduce diabetes cases worldwide.
