New Delhi, Sep 9 : Most young adults with diabetes remain unaware of their condition, posing a serious health risk, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington School of Medicine, analysed diabetes care data for all ages, sexes, and 204 countries and territories from 2000 to 2023.
Their findings show that in 2023, approximately 44 per cent of people aged 15 and above with diabetes had not been diagnosed. While this reflects an improvement from 2000, when 53 per cent were undiagnosed, it underscores that detection gaps remain significant.
Young adults aged 15–39 experienced the greatest underdiagnosis, with only 26 per cent receiving a diagnosis in 2023. Experts warn this group faces higher lifetime complications because they live with diabetes longer.
Lauryn Stafford, first author and researcher at IHME, said, “By 2050, 1.3 billion people may live with diabetes. If nearly half don’t know they have a serious and potentially deadly condition, it could become a silent epidemic.”
Among those diagnosed, 91 per cent received pharmacological treatment. Yet only 42 per cent of treated patients managed their blood sugar levels optimally, meaning just 21 per cent of all people with diabetes globally have their condition under control.
The study also highlighted stark regional disparities. High-income North America recorded the highest diagnosis rates, while high-income Asia Pacific led in treatment among diagnosed individuals. Southern Latin America had the highest optimal blood sugar management rates, whereas Central sub-Saharan Africa lagged with less than 20 per cent of people aware of their condition.
The researchers stressed the urgent need to expand screening for younger populations and increase access to medications and glucose-monitoring tools, particularly in underserved regions.
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