An international study published in The Lancet has found that the number of people with diabetes worldwide has more than doubled since 1990, reaching over 800 million in 2022.

Conducted by NCD-RisC in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the study utilized data from more than 140 million adults across over 1,000 studies globally.

The analysis highlights sharp increases, especially in low and middle-income countries, with global diabetes prevalence rising from 7% to 14%.

Countries with the highest concentrations of diabetes cases include India (212 million), China (148 million), the United States (42 million), and Pakistan (36 million).

The study also noted significant rates in regions like the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and North Africa, where over 25% of adults are affected.

By contrast, European countries such as France and Sweden reported remarkably lower rates, at 2-4% for women and 3-5% for men.

Factors like increasing obesity and an aging population are contributing to higher diabetes risks.

The study calls for ambitious policies globally, particularly in lower-income regions, to restrict unhealthy foods, promote exercise, and expand access to affordable, healthy options.

Despite the availability of effective medications, treatment inequality persists, with 59% of adults over 30 not receiving treatment in 2022.

Experts including Dr. Ranjit Mohan Anjana and Prof. Majid Ezzati emphasize the need for improved policies and access to care.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscored the urgent necessity for global action to promote healthy lifestyles and robust healthcare systems, while Chantal Mathieu of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes warned of diabetes as a growing public health and economic threat.