Dramatic Increase in Diabetes Prevalence Calls for Action

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) November 15, 2011 - Yesterday on World Diabetes Day, new numbers on the prevalence of diabetes were released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). They show that today 366 million people have diabetes (previous 2010 estimate was 285 million), and that half of them are undiagnosed. By 2030 the number is expected to rise to 522 million people (previous estimate was 438 million).

The number of people with diabetes is increasing in every country around the world; however, IDF estimates that 80% of people with diabetes live in low- or middle-income countries.

The new numbers from IDF speak for themselves. The projections are alarming and call for action – both in terms of prevention, detection and better treatment of the disease. If treated well, people with diabetes can live a normal life, but the majority of people with diabetes still don’t get proper treatment. This puts them at risk of developing the serious late complications associated wit