A recent study has revealed that over 800 million adults worldwide are now living with diabetes, nearly doubling previous estimates. Published in *The Lancet*, the research highlights the alarming rise in diabetes cases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where the disease has become a major public health challenge.
The study found that approximately 828 million adults aged 18 and older were diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes in 2022. Even more concerning is the fact that nearly 59% of individuals aged 30 and older—around 445 million people—are not receiving the necessary treatment for the condition.
This new figure dramatically surpasses the World Health Organization’s (WHO) previous estimate of 422 million people globally living with diabetes, emphasizing the growing scale of the issue. The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration in partnership with the WHO, analyzed data from over 1,000 studies, covering more than 140 million people worldwide. It is the first comprehensive global analysis of diabetes rates and treatment access, offering an in-depth look at the disparities in healthcare access.
### A Rising Global Crisis
The findings show that the global rate of diabetes has doubled since 1990, increasing from 7% to 14%. A significant portion of this increase has occurred in low- and middle-income nations, where healthcare systems are often ill-equipped to handle the growing demand for diabetes care.
While the number of diabetes cases continues to rise, treatment access has not kept pace. In some regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, only 5-10% of those diagnosed are receiving any form of treatment. Many individuals face financial barriers that prevent them from accessing essential medications like insulin.
Jean Claude Mbanya, a professor at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon, highlighted the severity of the situation in sub-Saharan Africa. “A huge number are at risk of serious health complications,” Mbanya stated, stressing the urgent need for affordable and accessible diabetes care in these regions.
### Disparities in Treatment Access
The study underscores a growing disparity in treatment access between low- and high-income nations. While wealthier countries have made significant progress in diabetes management, the treatment gap continues to widen in resource-poor regions, leaving millions without the care they urgently need.
Most of the diabetes cases identified in the study were type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to obesity, poor diet, and lack of physical activity. The rise in type 2 diabetes is particularly troubling, as it is largely preventable through lifestyle changes. Yet the global trend shows a worsening crisis, fueled by unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles.
### Gaps in Diagnosis and Underreporting
The researchers cautioned that relying solely on fasting plasma glucose tests may have missed a significant number of undiagnosed cases, especially in regions like South Asia. To address this, the study combined both fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin tests to provide a more accurate estimate of the global diabetes burden.
With millions of people living with untreated diabetes, the study stresses the urgent need for action. The rising prevalence of diabetes, coupled with inadequate treatment access, poses a serious risk to global health, potentially leading to higher mortality rates and placing even more strain on healthcare systems worldwide.
### Call for Immediate Action
The study calls for improved healthcare infrastructure, better access to affordable medications, and targeted public health campaigns to prevent and manage diabetes, particularly in the countries most affected by the disease.
As the global diabetes crisis worsens, experts warn that without immediate intervention, the situation will continue to deteriorate, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income nations. The study urges world leaders to take swift and decisive action to address the growing diabetes epidemic and ensure that everyone—regardless of where they live—has access to the care they need.
