Public Health
Diabetes, The Epidemic
Today, approximately 410–450 million people live with diabetes, making it one of the most common diseases worldwide.
The number of diabetics has been increasing over the past few decades. It is estimated that about 640 million people will live with diabetes by 2040.
The risk of diabetes is associated with the interactions between environment, lifestyle, and genetic factors.
“If I were given one hour to save the planet, I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute resolving it” — Albert Einstein.
The Burden of Disease
The burden of disease refers to the overall impact of a health problem on the population. The burden of disease is high in every country, however, the incidence of type 1 diabetes varies between countries.
The number of type 1 diabetics rise more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, but currently, Finland has the highest rate of 40.9 cases per 100,000/year. Contrarily, the incidence rate is low in Asian countries.
Type 2 diabetes has a different geographical pattern. Rural areas of developing countries have the lowest prevalence rate, whereas Western countries face a notably higher disease burden. This is due to the increased obesity rate associated with poor lifestyle and diet among the population.
Yep, junk food doesn’t help.
Certain Communities at Higher Risk
Research shows that those who migrate from low-prevalence areas to the West are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. South Asians and African-Caribbeans in the UK have significantly higher rates of diabetes compared to European White populations. A similar trend can be observed in North America, where African-American and Hispanic populations have higher rates of diabetes than White Americans. On the other hand, gender does not seem to play a significant role.
Dietary risk factors have recently increased. Regular consumption of red and processed meat, beverages, and meals with high amounts of sugar considerably contribute to the development of the disease.
How Can You Lower The Risk?
You can significantly lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by introducing a healthy diet and regular physical activity. You can increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, and some types of low-fat dairy products, such as yogurt.
It is also recommended to exercise at least 150 minutes a week. Regular physical activity can reduce the chance of several other medical problems as well, such as cardiovascular diseases.
Serious Consequences
Regular screening for diabetes can also decrease the risk. Public health and clinical preventive measure are needed to slow and eventually reverse the rising trend of prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes. Studies show that the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes is high.
The progression of diabetes results in significant end-organ damage: serious consequences, such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower-limb amputations are frequently caused by diabetes.
Intensive lifestyle intervention can reduce the progression of diabetes. If you’re a confirmed diabetic, a lifestyle change can slow and even reverse the progression of the disease and lower the chances of complications.
And limit your junk intake.
