By Deepak Pagare
The importance of discussing diabetes can not be overstated, its not just about personal health, it affects our communities and the economy as a whole.
Diabetes is a big health problem that has become very serious. Right now, over half a billion of people around the world living with diabetes.
- In terms of existing number of people with diabetes ,India ranks second in the world, just after China,
- In 2019, approximately 463 millions adults in the age group of 20-79 years across the globe were diagnosed with diabetes. this number is expected to rise to 629 million individuals by 2045.
- A Chennai based study suggests that one out of every four patients with Type 2 Diabetes is diagnosed before 15 years of age.
- Every fifth child with Type 1 Diabetes in the world is an Indian.
- Young diabetes (onset of diabetes before 15 years of age) constitutes 1-4% of the total diabetic population in India.
- Type 2 Diabetes which usually develops in adults, is now increasingly affecting children due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, overweight and obesity.
- Early intervention, when lifestyle habits are being formed among children is of utmost importance.
- Awareness about diabetes in India is low. Around 25% of urban Indians have not even heard of diabetes.
- Enabling school environment with well-informed teachers can positively influence the students to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. And also aid management of students already suffering from diabetes.
Epidemiology of Diabetes or Prevalence of Diabetes
Diabetes is found everywhere in the world, but its more common especially Type 2 diabetes, in wealthier countries. however,the number of people with diabetes is growing the fastest in poorer countries,like in Asia and Africa. By 2030, most people with diabetes might be in these places.
Estimated total number of adults (20-79 years) with diabetes in 2021
Top 10 countries or territories for number of adults (20-79 years) with diabetes in 2021 and 2045
Diabetes is a silent disease
There are one in 2 adults with diabetes are unaware about their disease. 42 million deaths due to diabetes recorded in 2019, its similar to 1 death in every 8 seconds. almost of half of the deaths were among those younger than 60 years or the working age group.
Approximately 6.7 million adults (20–79) are estimated to have died as a result of diabetes, or its complications in 2021
Proportion of total deaths related to diabetes among people under 60
Top 10 countries or territories for estimated number of prevalent (existing) cases of type 1 diabetes
in children and adolescents (0–19 years) per annum
Diabetes puts big burden on person and their families and it also puts a lots of pressure on country’s healthcare system.
In 2019, an estimated 760 billion USD was spent on health expenses because of diabetes.
with increasing burden of diabetes, an estimates amount of 845 billion USD would be spent on the management of diabetes by 2045.
Top 10 countries or territories for estimated number of incident (new) cases of type 1 diabetes in
children and adolescents (0–19 years) per annum
Key Message:
An estimated 537 million adults aged 20-79 years are currently living with diabetes.
Total number is predicted to rise to 643 million (11.3%) by 2030 and to 783 million (12.2%) by 2045.
An estimated 240 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes world wide.
Almost 90% of people with undiagnosed diabetes live in low and middle income countries.
In Africa, South East Asia and Western Pacific more than half of people with diabetes are undiagnosed.
over 1.2 million children and adolescents have type 1 diabetes. over half (54%) are under 15 years of age.
According to WHO ,diabetes was the seventh leading cause of mortality in 2016.
References:
IDF Diabetes atlas 10th edition. Accessed Jan 7,2024
IDF Global and Regional fact sheet. Accessed Jan 7,2024