Diabetes claims 1.5 million individuals every year and about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, according to WHO reports. According to The Lancet and The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Journal, more than 1.3 billion are said to suffer from diabetes by 2050.
Diabetes
The study published in Lancet suggested out of Type 1 and type 2 diabetes the most prevalent in the next three decades would be that of type 2. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where there is insulin resistance and it gradually increases commonly seen in adults. Whereas type 1 is seen mainly in children as the body cannot produce insulin enough to metabolise glucose.
What causes Diabetes
The factors like that extra cheese on pizza or extra sweet desserts causing Higher BMI in people, unhealthy choices over healthy ones, that one lazy day which turns into months and eventually habits, risks at occupation, like in any corporate office the levels of activity is a minimum or sedentary lifestyle, Use of tobacco, alcohol – this makes diabetes to thrive and unavoidable.
The Lancet and The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology published a Series on Global Inequity in Diabetes two papers – one which focused on USA and other global scenarios. According to the findings by 2045 3in 4 adults with diabetes could belong to lower to middle income countries. Only 10% of the patients receive the proper guidelines based on diabetes care.
In future regardless of economic category the marginalised and the discriminatory suffer the most.
Paper 1 shows, how racism and geographical inequity amplifies and affects the overall health of society and also the care and treatment which is accessible to patients. The publication has called out a broad factors both social and environmental which leads to type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and racism
The study sheds light on the issue, of how race and ethnicity, income and country affect the chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Also, it depends upon the care you receive and long-term health risks. Due to the negative impact of policies and public awareness, economic development the weaker sections of the society felt widely marginalised and will be for coming generations
Preventive Measures and Management Strategies
Addressing the diabetes epidemic requires a multi-faceted approach, combining preventive measures and effective management strategies:
Health Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about diabetes risk factors, prevention, and early detection is vital. Public health campaigns and educational initiatives should emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and balanced nutrition.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Encouraging physical activity and healthy eating habits from an early age is critical in combating diabetes. Schools, workplaces, and communities must prioritize physical activity and provide access to nutritious foods.
Improved Healthcare Access: Ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare and diabetes management resources is essential. This includes affordable diabetes screenings, medications, and advanced technologies for monitoring and treatment.
Research and Innovation: Investing in diabetes research is crucial to develop more effective treatment options, innovative technologies, and potential cures. Governments, private sector organizations, and international agencies should collaborate to support research initiatives.
Conclusion
The projection of over 1.3 billion adults affected by diabetes by 2050 is a stark reminder of the urgency to tackle this escalating epidemic. Preventive measures, health education, improved healthcare access, and research and innovation are the cornerstones of an effective strategy to combat diabetes and its complications. Only through a concerted global effort can we hope to bend the trajectory of this crisis and pave the way towards a healthier future, free from the burden of diabetes.
