A groundbreaking international study has revealed that the number of people living with diabetes has surged to over 800 million worldwide, doubling in the past three decades. According to the study published in The Lancet, the global diabetes rate in adults has increased from approximately 7% in 1990 to around 14% in 2022, with the most significant rise seen in low- and middle-income countries.
The study, the first global analysis of diabetes rates and treatments, was conducted by scientists at NCD-RisC in collaboration with the World Health Organization. It used data from over 140 million people aged 18 and older, gathered from more than 1,000 studies worldwide. This alarming rise in diabetes cases, especially in regions with limited healthcare access, has raised concerns about growing health inequalities. In 2022, the highest concentrations of diabetes were found in India, China, the United States, and Pakistan, while countries in the Pacific Islands, Caribbean, and North Africa also saw high diabetes rates among their populations.
With increasing obesity rates and an ageing global population, the risk of developing type-2 diabetes is growing. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized the need for urgent action to address the crisis, calling for policies supporting healthy diets, physical activity, and accessible healthcare. Experts warn that without effective intervention, diabetes could reach even more alarming levels, posing significant threats to global public health and economies.
