More than 800 million adults have diabetes globally, many untreated, study suggests – CTV
Nov. 14, 2024
LONDON – More than 800 million adults have diabetes worldwide – almost twice as many as previous estimates have suggested – and more than half of those aged over 30 who have the condition are not receiving treatment, according to a new study.
The study published in The Lancet found the global prevalence of diabetes has doubled since 1990 to 14 per cent from around 7 per cent, and the authors suggest the increase has been driven largely by rising cases in low- and middle-income countries.
Although there are far more cases, treatment rates in those regions have barely increased, the authors said, while things have improved in some higher-income countries – leading to a widening treatment gap.
In 2022, there were around 828 million people aged 18 years and older with type 1 and type 2 diabetes worldwide, the study found. Among adults aged 30 years and older, 445 million, or 59 per cent of them, were not receiving treatment, the authors said.
