According to a new study published in The Lancet journals, the number of adults worldwide living with diabetes is projected to more than double by 2050, reaching 1.3 billion. The rise in obesity levels and health inequalities are identified as key factors contributing to this rapid increase, with Type-2 diabetes being the most prevalent form.
The Global Diabetes Epidemic: A Looming Crisis
Diabetes remains one of the most pressing public health threats of our time. The research estimates that the number of adults living with diabetes will rise from 529 million in 2021 to over 1.3 billion in 2050. This surge will affect every country, age group, and gender, posing a formidable challenge to healthcare systems across the globe. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, is increasing worldwide due to factors such as obesity. However, this form of diabetes is largely preventable and, in some cases, reversible when identified and managed early.
Understanding Type-2 Diabetes: Causes and Impact
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that keeps your body from using insulin the way it should. People with type 2 diabetes are said to have insulin resistance. People who are middle-aged or older are most likely to get this kind of diabetes. It used to be called adult-onset diabetes. But type 2 diabetes also affects kids and teens, mainly because of childhood obesity. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. There are about 29 million people in the U.S. with type 2. Another 84 million have prediabetes, meaning their blood sugar (or blood glucose) is high but not high enough to be diabetes yet.
Health Inequalities and Structural Racism: A Barrier to Diabetes Control
The study highlights the influence of health inequalities and structural racism in accelerating diabetes rates and exacerbating its impact. Marginalized communities face significant barriers to essential medicines like insulin, leading to worse blood sugar control, reduced quality of life, and decreased life expectancy. Geographic inequities, along with structural racism experienced by minority ethnic groups, contribute to unequal access to healthcare and healthy food. These factors perpetuate disparities in diabetes prevalence, care, and outcomes, creating generational impacts that affect marginalized populations.
The Pandemic’s Role: Exposing Vulnerabilities
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified existing diabetes inequities globally. People with diabetes were found to be twice as likely to develop severe infections and experience higher mortality rates, particularly among minority ethnic groups. The pandemic has shed light on the disproportionate impact of diabetes on marginalized communities and underscored the urgent need for equitable healthcare access.
The Long-Term Consequences: Structural Impacts on Diabetes Outcomes
The research emphasizes that the negative impacts of public awareness, policy, economic development, access to quality care, and sociocultural norms have far-reaching effects on marginalized populations. Factors like residential segregation limit access to adequate healthcare services and healthy food, exacerbating the diabetes crisis. These structural conditions have transgenerational consequences on diabetes outcomes worldwide.
Addressing the Issue: A Call for Comprehensive Action
Efforts to combat the global diabetes crisis must incorporate these factors to effectively curb the disease. Cross-government action is crucial in addressing inequalities in diabetes prevalence and outcomes, as well as addressing underlying conditions like poverty and obesity. The integration of policies that prioritize equitable healthcare access, education, and prevention strategies can help mitigate the impact of diabetes on marginalized communities and pave the way for a healthier future.