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According to a comprehensive international study, global diabetes rates have alarmingly doubled in the past three decades, with many middle- and low-income countries struggling to offer sufficient treatment access to those afflicted with this chronic illness.
The detailed report, which emerged in The Lancet on Wednesday evening, disclosed that diabetes prevalence among adults soared from 7 percent in 1990 to a staggering 14 percent by 2022 across 200 different countries and territories.
The extensive review analyzed health data from 141 million individuals over thirty years, revealing the highest diabetes rates — exceeding 25 percent — concentrated in regions such as the Pacific islands, Caribbean, Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Malaysia.
Overall, India is responsible for more than a quarter of the world’s 828 million diabetes patients, while China has 148 million and the United States accounts for 42 million individuals grappling with this condition.
Diabetes is a serious chronic condition that manifests through elevated glucose levels in the bloodstream. Its increasing prevalence not only indicates that people are living longer lives on average, but also points to a decline in their quality of life, which is often attributed to poor dietary habits, environmental pollution, and social factors that contribute to chronic health issues.
The study revealed a shocking statistic: nearly 60 percent of diabetics over the age of 30 — a total of almost 450 million individuals — did not receive necessary medication in 2022, despite the existence of affordable off-patent pharmaceuticals.
Insufficient access to essential drugs for diabetes management was particularly pronounced in regions like Africa and Asia, prompting urgent concerns from health experts.
“This is especially concerning as people with diabetes tend to be younger in low-income countries,” stated Majid Ezzati, the report’s senior author and a respected professor of global environmental health at Imperial College London.
“In the absence of effective treatment, they are at risk of life-long complications — including amputation, heart disease, kidney damage, or vision loss — or in some cases, premature death,” he emphasized.
The rise in cases of type 2 diabetes, characterized by the body’s ineffective use of insulin, closely correlates with the alarming global upswing in obesity rates. Excess body fat plays a significant role as a leading risk factor for the development of this chronic condition.
Bianca Hemmingsen, the technical lead for the World Health Organization’s diabetes program, noted that many challenges contribute to this crisis, including failures in diagnosing diabetes swiftly and a general lack of access to medications despite the availability of economical non-branded alternatives.
“Supply chain issues and the dominance of a few pharmaceutical companies keep prices of some products high and unaffordable for many,” she explained. “Financial barriers, exclusion of diabetes care from universal healthcare packages, and steep out-of-pocket costs only worsen the situation for those in need.”
Insulin production is primarily controlled by the US-based Eli Lilly and Europe’s Sanofi and Novo Nordisk. These pharmaceutical giants have initiated access schemes aimed at providing insulin at lower costs to diabetics in poorer nations through partnerships that involve local production in countries like Egypt and South Africa.
However, critics argue that these initiatives form an inadequate “patchwork of strategies” that leave many lower-income countries struggling with extremely limited access to critical medications. This viewpoint was echoed by the Access to Medicines Foundation, a respected non-governmental organization.
“While we hope that partnerships can enhance access across Africa, if their scope and scale are limited, they may fail to adequately meet the growing needs,” expressed Jayasree Iyer, the foundation’s chief executive. “The report highlights that the needs are not only present but are also expanding over time.”
New treatments for diabetes, specifically GLP-1s like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, remain largely inaccessible to diabetics living in low and middle-income countries, according to Iyer. These newer medications are costly and primarily sought after in wealthier nations, where they are frequently marketed for obesity management.
Even affluent countries are feeling the strains of keeping pace with this “relentless condition,” highlighted Helen Kirrane, the head of policy and campaigns at Diabetes UK.
“This research underscores that we are facing a global diabetes crisis,” she stated. “This should be an urgent concern for policymakers in the UK, where diabetes diagnoses have skyrocketed to 4.4 million over less than two decades.”
**Interview with Dr. Majid Ezzati on Global Diabetes Trends**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Ezzati. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the urgent findings from your recent study on diabetes prevalence worldwide. The statistics are alarming—can you tell us more about what your report reveals regarding the increase in diabetes rates?
**Dr. Ezzati:** Thank you for having me. Indeed, our research presents a troubling picture. We found that global diabetes prevalence among adults has nearly doubled since 1990, rising from 7% to 14% by 2022. This escalation reflects complex social and environmental factors affecting health, including diet and pollution.
**Interviewer:** The report indicates significant variances in diabetes rates across different regions. Can you highlight where the highest concentrations are found?
**Dr. Ezzati:** Certainly. We observed the highest rates—over 25%—in the Pacific islands, Caribbean, Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Malaysia. These regions face significant challenges in providing adequate healthcare, which contributes directly to these staggering rates.
**Interviewer:** It’s striking that India represents over a quarter of the world’s diabetes patients. Why do you think India, along with countries like China and the U.S., has such high numbers?
**Dr. Ezzati:** India’s lifestyle changes, urbanization, and an increase in obesity are major factors. Additionally, a lack of access to healthcare further exacerbates the situation, leading to undiagnosed or untreated cases. China’s and the U.S.’s numbers are similarly linked to lifestyle changes and healthcare access issues.
**Interviewer:** Your study mentions that nearly 60% of diabetics over 30 did not receive necessary medication in 2022. What are the barriers contributing to this alarming statistic?
**Dr. Ezzati:** There are multiple barriers at play. In low-income countries, financial constraints are significant. Supply chain issues and the monopolization of the market by few pharmaceutical companies lead to high prices for insulin and related medications. Moreover, diabetes care is often excluded from universal healthcare packages, limiting access further.
**Interviewer:** That’s very concerning. What are the long-term implications of untreated diabetes, especially in younger populations?
**Dr. Ezzati:** The consequences of untreated diabetes can be severe and debilitating. Individuals may face life-long complications such as amputations, cardiovascular diseases, and renal failure, significantly impacting their quality of life. Tragically, this can also lead to premature mortality.
**Interviewer:** Given these findings, what steps can governments and organizations take to address this growing crisis?
**Dr. Ezzati:** We need urgent investments in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in low-income regions, to ensure comprehensive diabetes care is included in health packages. Raising awareness, improving diagnosis rates, and ensuring access to affordable treatments are crucial. Additionally, reducing obesity through public health initiatives can help mitigate the rise in type 2 diabetes.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Ezzati, for shedding light on this critical issue. It’s clear that collaborative efforts are essential to tackle the diabetes epidemic effectively.
**Dr. Ezzati:** Thank you for having me and for bringing attention to this important public health crisis.
