Right now, 382 million people around the world are living with diabetes, but this is expected to increase to 592 million people over the next 22 yrs. 

But…We can fight back! We ARE fighting back! Let’s unite in the fight against diabetes!

Diabetes battle ‘being lost’ as cases hit record 382 million

The world is losing the battle against diabetes as the number of people estimated to be living with the disease soars to a new record of 382 million this year, medical experts said on Thursday.

The vast majority have type 2 diabetes – the kind linked to obesity and lack of exercise – and the epidemic is spreading as more people in the developing world adopt Western, urban lifestyles.

The latest estimate from the International Diabetes Federation is equivalent to a global prevalence rate of 8.4 percent of the adult population and compares to 371 million cases in 2012.

By 2035, the organization predicts the number of cases will have soared by 55 percent to 592 million.

“The battle to protect people from diabetes and its disabling, life-threatening complications is being lost,” the federation said in the sixth edition of its Diabetes Atlas, noting that deaths from the disease were now running at 5.1 million a year – one every six seconds.

People with diabetes have inadequate blood sugar control, which can lead to a range of dangerous complications, including damage to the eyes, kidneys and heart. If left untreated, it can result in premature death.

“Year after year, the figures seem to be getting worse,” said David Whiting, an epidemiologist and public health specialist at the federation. “All around the world we are seeing increasing numbers of people developing diabetes.”

He said that a strategy involving all parts of society was needed to improve diets and promote healthier lifestyles.

The federation calculates diabetes already accounts for annual health care spending of $548 billion and this is likely to rise to $627 billion by 2035.

Worryingly, an estimated 175 million of diabetes cases are as yet undiagnosed, so a huge number of people are progressing toward complications unawares. Most of them live in low- and middle-income countries with far less access to medical care than in the United States and Europe.

The country with the most diabetics overall is China, where the case load is expected to rise to 142.7 million in 2035 from 98.4 million at present.

But the highest prevalence rates are to be found in the Western Pacific, where more than a third of adults in Tokelau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands already are living with the disease.

Pharmaceutical companies have developed a range of medicines over the years to counter diabetes but many patients still struggle to control their condition adequately, leading to a continuing hunt for improved treatments.

Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Eli Lilly are all major suppliers of insulin and other diabetes therapies.

Yesterday was World Diabetes Day!!!

It was EXACTLY what I needed. After being disappointed about the lack of support for National Diabetes Awareness Month in my hometown, I was thrilled to see how other people around the world chose to bring diabetes to light.

Seeing the beautiful display of BLUE monuments and buildings throughout the world, and the creativity of the people who found a way to put a personal mark on the day, I’m more inspired and determined than ever to help my city go blue in 2011.

World Diabetes Day is recognized by the United Nations as being a UNified effort to bring about global awareness and action to address the growing diabetes epidemic. 

Diabetes is a global problem with devastating human, social and economic impact. Today more than 300 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. Each year another 7 million people develop diabetes..

More than 300 monuments and buildings in 40 different countries were lit as beacons of hope for the millions of people worldwide living with diabetes

Here are some of my favorites… 

Northern Ireland

Sacramento State Capitol

World Diabetes Day is powerful because it represents UNITY.

It isn’t just a day for people with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes.  It’s a day for all of humanity.