A recent study revealed that over 800 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes, nearly double the previous estimates. The study, published in The Lancet journal, also found that more than half of those aged 30 and older with diabetes are not receiving treatment.
In 2022, approximately 828 million people aged 18 and above were affected by type 1 and type 2 diabetes globally. Among adults aged 30 and over, 445 million (59%) were not being treated, according to the research.
Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 422 million people had diabetes, a chronic condition that can harm the heart, blood vessels, nerves, and other organs if left untreated.
The study highlighted that the global diabetes rate has more than doubled since 1990, rising from about 7% to 14%, largely due to increased cases in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the surge in cases, treatment rates in these regions have remained low, while higher-income countries have seen some improvements, contributing to a growing treatment gap.
In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, only 5-10% of those estimated to have diabetes are receiving treatment, said Jean Claude Mbanya, a professor at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon. The high cost of diabetes treatment, including insulin and medications, remains a significant barrier.
The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration and the WHO, is the first global analysis to include data on both diabetes prevalence and treatment rates for all countries. It draws on over 1,000 studies involving more than 140 million individuals.
Diabetes was defined in the study as having high fasting plasma glucose levels and high glycated hemoglobin, both common diagnostic criteria, or taking diabetes medication. This approach was used to ensure accuracy, especially in regions like South Asia, where using only fasting plasma glucose tests might miss some cases.
Although the study did not distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, previous research suggests that most adult cases are type 2, which is closely linked to obesity and poor diet.
