Diabetes is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. The most common is type 2 diabetes, usually in adults, which occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t make enough insulin. In the past three decades the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically in countries of all income levels. Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin by itself. For people living with diabetes, access to affordable treatment, including insulin, is critical to their survival. There is a globally agreed target to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity by 2025
About 62 million people in the Americas (422 million people worldwide) have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries, and 284,049 deaths (1.5 million globally) are directly attributed to diabetes each year. Both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes have been steadily increasing over the past few decades.
- It is estimated that 62 million people in the Americas live with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) type2. This number has tripled in the Region since 1980 and it estimates that will reach the 109 million mark by 2040, according to the Diabetes Atlas (9th edition). Prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
- Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the chances of these complications and premature mortality. In addition, people with diabetes are at higher risk of presenting cardiovascular diseases and tuberculosis, especially those with poor glycemic control.
- Globally, between 2000 and 2016, there was a 5% increase in premature mortality from diabetes.
- In the Americas, in 2019, diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death, with an estimated 244,084 deaths directly caused by diabetes. It is the second leading Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) cause, reflecting the limiting complications that people with diabetes suffer throughout their lives.
- Overweight/obesity and physical inactivity are major risk factors for diabetes type 2. The prevalence of overweight in the Americas was almost double that observed worldwide. Among adolescents in the Americas, 80.7% are insufficiently active. A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- A healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use are ways to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- Diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication and regular screening and treatment for complications.