A recent study published in The Lancet reveals a shocking rise in global diabetes, now impacting over 800 million adults worldwide, nearly double previous estimates.
Conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and the World Health Organization (WHO), the study shows that more than half of adults with diabetes aged 30 and older aren’t receiving the treatment they need.
In 2022, around 828 million adults aged 18 and older were living with diabetes (type 1 or type 2). Out of these, 445 million adults aged 30 and above, 59% of cases were left untreated, painting a concerning picture of this rising health crisis.
Previously, the WHO estimated 422 million people worldwide had diabetes, a chronic condition that, if untreated, can damage major organs like the heart and nerves. This new data reflects a doubling in diabetes cases since 1990, now affecting 14% of the global adult population, compared to just 7% in 1990. This surge is especially severe in low- and middle-income countries, where access to treatment has not kept pace with rising cases.
In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, treatment access is critically low. Professor Jean Claude Mbanya from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon highlights that only 5-10% of diabetes patients in the area receive essential treatment, mainly due to high medication costs.
This groundbreaking study, the first to include global treatment data, analyzed over 1,000 studies and involved 140 million people. Using fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin tests, the study provided a clear picture of diabetes prevalence, especially in areas like South Asia, where traditional testing might miss cases.
While the study doesn’t separate type 1 from type 2 diabetes, it’s believed type 2 often linked to obesity and poor diet—accounts for most adult cases. With diabetes rates soaring and treatment gaps widening, global action is needed to close the care gap and prevent severe health complications. This study underscores the urgent need for a global response to the diabetes crisis.
