Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A recent study published in The Lancet highlights India as the country with the highest number of untreated diabetes cases, attributing this alarming statistic to various socio-economic and healthcare access challenges. According to the study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 828 million adults had diabetes in 2022. Of these, over 212 million individuals reside in India, surpassing countries like China and the United States.
Global Diabetes Inequality and Treatment Gaps
Professor Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London, a senior author of the study, emphasized widening global inequalities in diabetes treatment, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. “Diabetes treatment rates are stagnating in many countries where the number of adults with diabetes is rising rapidly. This puts younger people in low-income regions at greater risk of long-term complications or premature death,” he said.
Diabetes Surge in India: A Growing Crisis
In India, diabetes rates have almost doubled since 1990. Among women, the prevalence increased from 11.9% to 24%, and among men, it rose from 11.3% to 21.4% during the same period. Despite these surges, treatment coverage has barely improved — rising marginally from 21.6% to 27.8% in women and 25.3% to 29.3% in men.
Challenges and Solutions in Diabetes Management
Dr. Sachin Kumar Jain, a leading endocrinologist at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, remarked on the challenges surrounding diabetes management in India. “The factors contributing to untreated diabetes in India include limited healthcare access, socio-economic barriers, and cultural perceptions about diabetes,” he said. Dr. Jain stressed the need for early detection, continuous care, and a collaborative approach involving government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community organizations to improve diabetes management and health literacy.
Alternative Therapies and Self-Medication Risks
Dr. Anoop Misra, chairman of Fortis C-Doc, noted the concerning trend of untreated diabetes and the reliance on alternative therapies, self-medication, and lifestyle modifications. “Many people try to manage the condition on their own until it worsens. Urgent action is needed to address these gaps in treatment,” he added.
