Diabetes: a growing epidemic
Context
In the recent past, the number of people affected by Diabetes has quadrupled. A study published in The Lancet highlights nations, especially India, to scale up diagnosis and management to meet the 2030 World Health Organisation (WHO) targets.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Dimensions of the Article
- About the Issue in the Article
- Significance of addressing Diabetes
- Current Challenges in the System
- Way forward
About the Issue in the Article
- Diabetes saw an unexpected rise between 1990 and 2022, becoming a global pandemic.
- The number of people with diabetes increased from 200 million to over 800 million worldwide.
- The prevalence of the disease among adults doubled during this period, climbing from 7% to 14%.
- India currently has about 212 million affected people, surpassing even China, which has 148 million cases.
- Additionally, India has the dubious distinction of hosting the world’s largest population of undiagnosed diabetics, with 133 million individuals over 30 years old unaware of their condition.
- Alarmingly, 133 million Indians over 30 remain undiagnosed, the highest globally.
- A more inclusive methodology, considering fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), has revealed higher numbers of undiagnosed cases in South Asia.
Significance of addressing diabetes:
- The findings show that diabetes is not just a chronic illness but a precursor to severe complications such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and early mortality.
- Early diagnosis and effective management are critical to reducing complications like cardiovascular diseases and mortality.
- Properly addressing gestational diabetes can lower long-term risks for both mothers and children.
- The urgency is heightened by the WHO’s 2030 goals, which aim to ensure that 80% of diabetes cases are diagnosed and 80% of diagnosed individuals maintain good glycaemic control. For India, meeting these targets is essential not just for improving individual health but also for strengthening its healthcare system.
Current Challenges in the System
- Lifestyle Factors: Poor dietary habits, sedentary behaviour, and lack of sufficient physical activity contribute to the risk of being diabetic.
- Impact of Tobacco: It is argued that nicotine found in tobacco disrupts the insulin-producing beta cells and induces insulin resistance.
- High Rate of Undiagnosed Cases: 133 million Indians remain undiagnosed, primarily due to insufficient diagnostic reach.
- Insufficient Awareness: Low public awareness about lifestyle risks, tobacco-related diabetes, and the importance of early diagnosis.
Way Forward
- The government should invest more in diagnostic infrastructure, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, to detect diabetes cases early.
- Nationwide awareness campaigns on the importance of having healthier diets and the benefits of regular physical activity must be conducted.
- Programmes targeting pregnant women must include routine screening for gestational diabetes and provide appropriate medical care. Raising awareness about the long-term impact of gestational diabetes on mothers and children is vital.
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