Sat Nov 16 17:10:35 UTC 2024: ## Global Diabetes Crisis: India Leads with Staggering Numbers, Experts Call for Urgent Action
**Chennai, India – November 16, 2024** – A new global study published in *The Lancet* reveals a staggering 800 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes, with over half receiving no treatment. The research, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), analyzed data from over 140 million people across 1,000 studies. This represents a fourfold increase since 1990.
India carries the heaviest burden, with a shocking 212 million adults affected – nearly 100 million more than previously estimated by the ICMR-INDIAB study. China follows with 148 million cases. Experts attribute this discrepancy to varying diagnostic methods used across nations.
Dr. V. Mohan of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation points to the use of HbA1c values or fasting glucose levels, rather than the gold standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), as a possible factor in the higher numbers. He notes that the use of HbA1c alone may inflate the figures.
The alarming statistics have prompted calls for immediate action. Dr. Anoop Mishra of Fortis CDOC Hospital advocates for a “war-like effort” involving mass media campaigns to raise awareness about nutrition and physical activity, stricter regulations on sugar content in packaged foods, and targeted education for women, who face increased risk post-pregnancy and at menopause.
Dr. Anjana Ranjit of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation emphasizes the need for ambitious policies, particularly in low-income countries, to improve access to healthy foods, promote physical activity, and create safe spaces for exercise.
The study highlights a critical need for global investment in diabetes prevention, treatment, and complication management, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the disease disproportionately affects younger populations, leading to serious long-term health consequences.
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