A staggering 589 million adults worldwide are currently living with diabetes, with more than 250 million unaware of their condition, according to new research from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). This revelation, from the 11th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, underscores the growing public health crisis linked to the disease. The findings were released at the opening of the World Diabetes Congress in Bangkok, Thailand.
The IDF report highlights that nearly one in nine adults globally is affected by diabetes, a condition that carries significant health risks, particularly for those who are undiagnosed. Without awareness, individuals face a higher likelihood of severe complications, including premature death. As Dr. Dianna Magliano, co-chair of the IDF Diabetes Atlas Committee, remarked, the data emphasizes the urgent need for improved detection and preventive efforts, particularly among those at risk.
The report also notes the troubling upward trend in diabetes prevalence, with the global total expected to rise to 853 million by 2050, marking a substantial public health challenge. Three-quarters of those affected currently reside in low- and middle-income countries, further highlighting the stark health inequities that exacerbate the burden of the disease.
Diabetes contributes to more than 3.4 million deaths annually, and the report also reveals that one in eight adults is at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, 1.8 million young individuals under the age of 20 are living with type 1 diabetes, adding further strain to families and health systems globally.
The economic impact of diabetes is also staggering. For the first time, global spending on diabetes-related healthcare surpassed $1 trillion in 2024, a sharp increase from $966 billion in 2021. The condition also causes a range of severe complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss. People with type 2 diabetes, which makes up 90% of all cases, are at an 84% higher risk of heart failure compared to those without the disease.
In response to these alarming findings, IDF President Peter Schwarz called for a coordinated global effort to combat diabetes. He stressed that early diagnosis, education, and screening must be prioritized by governments worldwide. “The consequences of ignoring or neglecting the diabetes challenge are too great,” Schwarz said. “We cannot afford inaction in the face of this growing pandemic.”
The report also emphasizes the need for multi-sector collaboration, with contributions from governments, the healthcare industry, education, technology, and the private sector all vital to addressing the rising tide of diabetes.
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