80 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes
Diabetes. A name that is now on everyone’s lips. Its mention has become common on every street, in every town and in every family. It was previously thought that this disease affected only older people, but now it affects everyone. Whether they are children, young people and the elderly. You may be surprised to know that in 1990, the number of patients with diabetes was only 7 percent, but in 2022 it has increased to 14 percent. That means the number of patients has doubled in 30 years!
And these figures do not come from just any report, but from a study published in the world famous magazine ‘The Lancet’. Today, more than 80 million people suffer from diabetes, and experts say that if the situation remains the same, then. By 2050, this figure may exceed 130 crore.
These terrifying figures are not just a warning, but a harsh reality, forcing us to understand the growing impact of this disease. And today is also World Diabetes Day. This is the world’s largest campaign to raise awareness about diabetes.
After all, what is the reason for the increase in numbers?
This study was carried out in collaboration with NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and the World Health Organization (WHO). It has been said that in prosperous countries its spread is decreasing. This study analyzed more than 1,000 old studies, including data from more than 14 million people.
In the year 1990, the number of people suffering from diabetes was 20 crore, which will increase to 83 crore in the year 2022. In 1980, the rate of diabetes among adults was 4.7%, and it has increased to 8.5%. This increase in diabetes is due to changes in people’s lifestyles. The authors of the research said that obesity and diet are the main causes of type 2 diabetes. This usually occurs in middle-aged or elderly people.
Type 1 diabetes, which usually appears at a young age, is more difficult to cure because there is a lack of insulin in the body. This problem is especially serious in countries where there has been a change in eating habits and routines due to rapid urbanization and economic development. Its impact on women is enormous.
The treatment gap is widening
According to the Lancet study, 59 percent of adults aged 30 and older, or about 445 million people, received no treatment for diabetes in 2022. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 5 to 10 percent percent of the population receives treatment. This is the situation when diabetes medications are available. Experts say limited access to health services in low- and middle-income countries becomes an obstacle in their treatment.
India is also called the “Diabetes Capital of the World”. That means that our country has the highest number of diabetes cases. Last year i.e. in 2023, there were more than 10 million cases of diabetes in India. And among the people in the world who did not receive treatment, more than 14 million people live in India.
Also in Pakistan, India’s neighbor, about a third of women suffer from diabetes, up from less than 10 percent in 1990. Some developed countries have recorded stability or decline in diabetes cases. Countries such as Japan, Canada, France and Denmark have seen a smaller increase in the prevalence of diabetes.
So what is the solution?
The authors of this study say that the high cost of diabetes treatment is also becoming a major obstacle in many parts of the world. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, the cost of insulin and medications is so high that many patients do not even receive full treatment, let alone adequate treatment. And without proper treatment, millions of people are forced to face serious complications.
Therefore, a global strategy is needed to address diabetes. Especially in those countries where there is a shortage of health resources. This may include initiatives such as increasing the availability of affordable medicines, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and increasing diabetes awareness. Through this, the burden of diabetes can be reduced and the growing treatment gap can be closed soon.
