The Global Picture: A Looming Epidemic

Brussels, April 7, 2025 – The International Diabetes Alliance (IDA) has released its eleventh edition of the Diabetes Map, revealing that nearly one in nine adults worldwide – a staggering 589 million people – are currently living with diabetes.This number surpasses the combined populations of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Even more alarming, an estimated 252 million of these individuals are unaware of their condition, placing them at substantially higher risk of severe complications and premature death.

This “silent epidemic,” as some health officials are calling it, is not just a problem for developing nations. The rising tide of diabetes is impacting the United states in profound ways, straining healthcare systems and impacting the economy.

Key findings from the IDA report include:

• 589 million adults (20-79 years) worldwide have diabetes.
• Projections estimate 853 million adults will have diabetes by 2050.
• Three-quarters of adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Diabetes causes more than 3.4 million deaths each year.
• One in eight adults are at high risk for type 2 diabetes.
• 1.8 million children and adolescents under 20 have type 1 diabetes.

The IDA warns of an urgent need for strengthened prevention, early detection, and intervention measures too mitigate the burdens diabetes imposes on individuals, communities, health systems, and economies worldwide.In 2024, global diabetes-related healthcare spending exceeded $1 trillion, a significant jump from $966 billion in 2021.

IDF Chairman Peter Schwarz stated: “The results of the study highlight the urgent need for bolder national and global action to deal with diabetes. More than four out of every ten diabetes patients have not been diagnosed, and local governments must give priority to screening, early diagnosis and education. To cope with the increasingly severe diabetes problem, cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation is required. Governments, medical, education, technology and private institutions can all play a role. The consequences of neglecting or not paying full attention to the diabetes challenge are too serious. in the face of this “epidemic”, we must never do anything.”

Impact on the United States: A Closer Look

While the global statistics are alarming, the implications for the U.S. are particularly concerning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 37 million Americans have diabetes, representing about 11.3% of the population. Of those, roughly 8.5 million are undiagnosed. This means that millions of Americans are living with a chronic condition that, if left unmanaged, can lead to devastating health consequences.

diabetes is a leading cause of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney failure
• Blindness
• Amputations

These complications not only diminish the quality of life for those affected but also place a significant burden on the U.S.healthcare system. The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is $412.9 billion annually, including $306.6 billion in direct medical costs and $106.3 billion in reduced productivity.

type 2 Diabetes: A Preventable Crisis

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of all diabetes cases, and its rise is largely driven by lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and obesity. The good news is that type 2 diabetes is often preventable through lifestyle modifications.

Programs like the CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) have demonstrated that individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes can significantly reduce their risk by:

• Losing a modest amount of weight (5-7% of body weight)
• Increasing physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week)
• Making healthier food choices

These lifestyle changes are not only effective in preventing type 2 diabetes but also offer numerous other health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health and reduced risk of certain cancers.

Professor Boyko added: “To cope with the upward trend, public awareness, prevention and continuous monitoring of diabetes prevalence is needed to support accurate monitoring of the global impact of diabetes.”

Innovations and Recent Developments

The fight against diabetes is constantly evolving, with new technologies and treatments emerging regularly. some recent advancements include:

• continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): CGM devices allow individuals with diabetes to track their blood sugar levels in real-time, providing valuable insights for managing their condition.
• Insulin Pumps: Insulin pumps deliver a continuous dose of insulin throughout the day, mimicking the way the pancreas naturally releases insulin.
• New Medications: New classes of medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors, have shown promise in improving blood sugar control and reducing cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes.
• Artificial Pancreas Systems: These systems combine a CGM device and an insulin pump with complex algorithms to automatically adjust insulin delivery based on blood sugar levels, essentially acting as an artificial pancreas.

Call to Action: What Can Be Done?

Addressing the diabetes crisis requires a multi-pronged approach involving individuals, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the government.

Individuals can take steps to reduce their risk by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Getting regular check-ups and screenings

Healthcare providers should:

• Screen patients for diabetes risk factors
• Educate patients about diabetes prevention and management
• Provide access to resources and support services

Policymakers should:

• Invest in public health programs that promote healthy lifestyles
• Support research into new diabetes treatments and prevention strategies
• Ensure access to affordable healthcare for all Americans

The International Diabetes Alliance emphasizes that local governments should invest resources in preventive health care programs, especially in areas where diabetes is frequently enough not diagnosed, so as to detect high-risk people early and help them delay or avoid the occurrence of diabetes and its related complications.