Global health spending on diabetes touched $673b in 2015

Islamabad

Promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, and encouraging treatment to reduce the risk of serious complications will be the focus of World Diabetes Day 2016, which is observed on November 14 every year in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. And there is a solid reason for such interventions, given that the global health spending to treat diabetes and manage its complications was estimated at $673 billion in 2015 alone, reveals the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

In keeping with the above objective, ‘Eyes on Diabetes’ is this year’s theme of the observation. According to the IDF, it is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign, reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries.

Screening for Type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications. According to the IDF, diabetes is a huge and growing burden: 415 million adults were living with diabetes in 2015 and this number is expected to increase to around 642 million or one in ten adults by 2040. One in two adults with diabetes remains undiagnosed, which makes them particularly susceptible to the complications of the condition, causing substantial disability and premature death. Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present.

Information posted on the IDF website states that up to 70 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles, equivalent to up to 160 million cases by 2040. “With increasing levels of poor nutrition and physical inactivity among children in many countries, type 2 diabetes in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue leading to serious health outcomes,” the International Diabetes Federation warns on its website. Moreover, 12 per cent of the total global expenditure on health is currently spent on adults with diabetes.

The number of people with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries will continue to grow, posing a threat to sustainable development.

Screening for diabetes complications is also an essential part of managing all types of diabetes. According to research findings posted on the International Diabetes Federation website, more than 640 million of us may be living with diabetes by 2040. Delayed diagnosis means that many people with type 2 diabetes will suffer from at least one complication by the time they are diagnosed with diabetes.

In many countries, diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.

The IDF website informs that of the 415 million adults worldwide living with diabetes in 2015, 1 over one-third will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy — a complication of diabetes that can lead to vision impairment and blindness. More than 93 million adults, or one in three, currently living with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy.

The management of diabetes and its complications begins in primary health care and this should include screening for diabetic retinopathy.

Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can prevent vision loss and reduce the impact of diabetes on individuals, their careers and society.

Careful management of diabetes and screening for diabetic eye disease can help prevent visual impairment and blindness.

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the IDF and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Article source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/164196-Global-health-spending-on-diabetes-touched-673b-in-2015