On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, which is observed annually on the 14th of November, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new initiative. This initiative aims to increase access to affordable insulin, a crucial hormone required by people living with diabetes.
The theme for this year’s World Diabetes Day was “Family and Diabetes,” emphasizing the importance of family support in managing, preventing, and educating about diabetes. The chosen date for this global observance marks the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1922.
The Global Burden of Diabetes
Diabetes affects over 420 million people worldwide. In terms of patient numbers, China leads the list with more than 11.43 crore cases, followed by India with 7.29 crore reported cases in 2017. The disease poses significant challenges for treatment, primarily due to the high costs of insulin and the insufficient availability of essential medicines and technologies.
India’s Response to the Diabetes Challenge
In response to the growing diabetes problem, the Government of India has implemented several measures. The primary focus of India’s National Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Target is to halt the rise in obesity and diabetes prevalence. Furthermore, the government launched the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010. This program provides support for diagnosis as well as cost-effective treatment at various levels of healthcare.
Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a non-communicable disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a vital hormone that regulates blood sugar or glucose levels in the body. There are several types of diabetes:
Type I Diabetes
Also referred to as juvenile diabetes, this type generally affects children between the ages of 14 and 16. It occurs when the body fails to produce sufficient insulin. People with type I diabetes are insulin-dependent and must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects how the body uses insulin. While the body still makes insulin, unlike in type I, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. This type of diabetes is more common among people over 45 years of age and has strong links with obesity.
Gestational Diabetes
This type of diabetes occurs in women during pregnancy when the body sometimes becomes less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes does not occur in all women, and usually resolves after giving birth.
Diabetes affects five major organs: the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, nervous system, and eyes (retina). Factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, harmful use of alcohol, overweight or obesity, and tobacco use contribute to the increase in diabetes cases.
Statistics about Diabetes
| Country | Number of Patients in 2017 |
|---|---|
| China | 11.43 crore |
| India | 7.29 crore |
The high cost of insulin and inadequate availability of critical medicines and technologies make it challenging to treat diabetes. Various governments and global health organisations are taking necessary steps to combat this rising global health issue.
