World's Diabetes Day - Diabetes: An Emerging Epidemic

World Diabetes Day, on November 14th, serves as a timely reminder of the global diabetes epidemic. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF), marking its 75th anniversary and 25 years of publishing the Diabetes Atlas, underscores in this 11th edition that diabetes remains one of the fastest-growing global health challenges of the 21st century.

In 2024, it was estimated that 589 million adults aged 20-79 were living with diabetes worldwide. This number is projected to rise to 853 million by 2050.

Understanding the Two Main Types of Diabetes

The two main types of diabetes differ significantly. Type 1 diabetes primarily affects younger individuals and requires insulin treatment from the time of diagnosis. In 2024, over 9.5 million people had type 1 diabetes, including 1.9 million children and adolescents under the age of 20.

In contrast, Type 2 diabetes develops more gradually as the body’s pancreatic beta cells deteriorate. Additionally, there is a large and growing population at high risk of developing diabetes. In 2024, it was estimated that 635 million people had impaired glucose tolerance, and 488 million had impaired fasting glucose.  Furthermore, over 3.4 million people aged 20–79 died from diabetes-related causes in 2024. Direct health expenditures due to diabetes surpassed one trillion USD for the first time and are expected to rise in the coming years.

The IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition, also reveals that hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP) affects approximately one in five pregnancies.  Another cause for concern is the high percentage (43%) of individuals with undiagnosed diabetes, predominantly type 2.  This highlights the urgent need to enhance diagnosis capabilities for those unaware they have the condition and to provide appropriate early care.

Empowering People with Diabetes

Effective diabetes care requires that individuals living with the condition are empowered and equipped to manage it autonomously. Evidence indicates that, on average, a person with diabetes spends approximately three hours per year in direct consultation with healthcare professionals, leaving an estimated 8,757 hours annually in which self-management is required Consequently, structured education, psychosocial support, and collaborative care models are critical to ensure that people with diabetes possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about their daily management.

Advances in Type 1 Diabetes Management

Managing type 1 diabetes revolves around insulin replacement therapy, which aims to restore normal insulin levels. This is typically achieved through multiple daily insulin injections, with dosages adjusted based on scheduled exercise, food intake, and blood glucose readings. Insulin delivery methods have advanced significantly, transitioning from subcutaneous injections to continuous infusion, and inhaled delivery systems are currently being explored. Additionally, continuous glucose monitoring technologies are improving in accuracy and user-friendliness.

Type 2 Diabetes

Given the high number of people living with non-diabetic hyperglycemia, preventing Type 2 diabetes offers significant potential. Many healthcare systems worldwide now provide programs that use diet and physical activity to help individuals manage or even reverse type 2 diabetes, particularly for those who are overweight.

In the last decade, important new treatments for type 2 diabetes have emerged. Injectable medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide (GLP-1 receptor agonists) have demonstrated significant effects on reducing blood sugar, as well as body weight and composition. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors also assist by lowering blood sugar, improving kidney health, and reducing the risk of heart failure in people living with diabetes. Both these agents have been shown to improve clinical outcomes. Ongoing research continues to introduce new, effective treatments into clinical trials.

Diabetes Education

Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is critical for helping individuals understand and manage their diabetes. DSME aims to enhance health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes.

Healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, diabetes nurses, dietitians, and podiatrists, often play a key role in providing this education, focusing on the prevention, identification, and management of diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

These professionals need to be well-informed about diabetes care in a rapidly developing clinical environment. They should ideally pursue multidisciplinary courses that focus on the assessment and management of individuals with, or at risk of developing, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Through iheed’s Online Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Diabetes Care, accredited by the University of Warwick, clinicians can enhance their understanding of prevention, treatment, and patient education while advancing their careers in chronic disease management.

Ref: https://diabetesatlas.org/resources/idf-diabetes-atlas-2025/