A new global study warns of a rise in diabetes incidence worldwide over the next thirty years if appropriate measures are not taken. The study, conducted by researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, found that "529 million people globally are affected by diabetes." The study predicts that this number could double to reach 1.3 billion by 2050.
Researchers noted that "the majority of cases are of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and is largely preventable." The pattern of increase in incidence is not uniform globally. For instance, the prevalence of the disease is expected to reach 16.8% in North Africa and the Middle East and 11.3% in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2050, compared to approximately 9.8% globally. Currently, the prevalence is "6.1%, but all countries are at risk of increasing incidence rates."
The lead researcher of the study, Lian Ong, emphasized that "the rapid spread of the disease is not only concerning but also poses challenges for every healthcare system in the world," pointing out that "diabetes is linked to a number of other diseases such as heart disease and stroke." The study indicated that among the reasons for the increase in diabetes cases are rising obesity rates and demographic shifts, as the prevalence is higher among older adults.
