One in Ten Adults Throughout the World Now Has Diabetes
Diabetes carries with it many health risks, particularly if it’s not managed. Having access to quality care is key, which is a problem in low- and middle-income countries, where an estimated 90% of people living with the disease lack comprehensive care. This issue is especially concerning when combined with news from a recent report, which finds that one in ten adults throughout the world now has diabetes.
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has released its latest IDF Diabetes Atlas, which has been tracking worldwide diabetes statistics for more than 20 years. The 2021 report – compiled with data from peer-reviewed journals, national health surveys, and reports from health regulatory groups – finds that 10.5% of adults aged 20-79 across the globe are currently living with diabetes. That’s a staggering 537 million people, more than triple the figure of 151 million in 2000. At that time, that was 4.6% of the adult population.
Professor Andrew Boulton, IDF’s president, says, “I wish I could report that the past two decades have witnessed decisive action to tackle diabetes and that the rising tide of diabetes has finally turned. I wish I could share news that universal health coverage has given more than half a billion people living with diabetes worldwide access to the care they need and can afford. I wish I could declare that, 100 years after its discovery, therapeutic insulin is now within reach of all those who need it to survive. Alas, I cannot. Rather, I must repeat the message that diabetes is a pandemic of unprecedented magnitude spiraling out of control.”
The report estimates that if trends continue, there will be 783 million adults living with the disease by 2045, or about 12.2% of the population. The projected rise is especially stark in Africa, which currently has 24 million people living with the disease but is expected to reach 55 million by 2045. The Middle East and North Africa region is also projected to go from 73 million to 136 million in that time span. Large increases are expected in South and Central America and Southeast Asia, as well.
When it comes to prevalence rates, middle-income countries are expected to see the highest increase – 21.1% – while low- and high-income countries would both increase by around 12%.
While these figures are certainly alarming, Boulton says there are some positives when it comes to the global response, which may help stem the worst projections.
He explains, “I believe there are some rays of hope. The centenary of the discovery of insulin has attracted greater attention to the diabetes cause. In April 2021, the World Health Organization launched its Global Diabetes Compact, marking an increased focus on diabetes. We pledged our support to the development and implementation of the Compact through our advocacy and awareness activities. Soon after, a landmark Resolution highlighting the importance of prevention, diagnosis and control of diabetes was agreed by the World Health Assembly. These are important steps towards addressing the continued and rapid rise of diabetes prevalence, particularly in countries that do not have a national diabetes plan or coverage for essential health services.”
If you’d like to read the full report, you can find it here.
