Joseph Isangura
The Lancet’s latest research reveals a startling increase in diabetes cases, with over 828 million adults worldwide affected in 2022, a figure nearly double previous estimates.
This represents 14% of the global adult population, a significant rise from 7% in 1990. Concerningly, over half of adults aged 30 and above with diabetes—amounting to 445 million people—remain untreated, exposing them to severe health risks, including heart disease and nerve damage.
The study highlights disparities in treatment access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where rising cases are not matched by improved care. In contrast, wealthier nations have seen better treatment rates, exacerbating the global healthcare gap. Sub-Saharan Africa faces a critical shortage of essential medications like insulin, where only 5–10% of patients receive adequate care.
This comprehensive study utilized advanced diagnostic criteria and analyzed data from over 1,000 sources, covering 140 million individuals globally.
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It underscores the need for urgent interventions to expand access to affordable treatments and address the underlying factors driving the diabetes epidemic, such as poor diets and obesity.
Efforts to tackle this escalating health crisis must prioritize low-income regions and ensure equitable healthcare systems to prevent millions from enduring preventable complications. The findings call for a renewed global focus on diabetes prevention, management, and universal healthcare access
