Dramatic increase in diabetes prevalence calls for action

Today on World Diabetes Day, new numbers on the prevalence of diabetes have been 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 with diabetes – just in 2011, 4.6 million deaths have been caused by diabetes. If nothing is done, this will become a ticking bomb under healthcare systems in all parts of the world”, says President and CEO in Novo Nordisk, Lars Rebien Sørensen.

As a partner in the World Diabetes Day campaign driven by the IDF, Novo Nordisk has planned or co-sponsored a variety of activities throughout the world. All activities are focused on increasing awareness and improving knowledge of diabetes and its prevention.

In countries such as Algeria, China and Cameroun people will be offered free diabetes screenings. In India, Australia and Brazil thousands of people will focus on the importance of a healthy lifestyle by participating in Global Diabetes Walks. Furthermore, the Little Mermaid in Denmark, the Tokyo Tower in Japan and almost 1000 other monuments around the world will be lit in blue by the global diabetes community to create awareness of the disease.

Last year on World Diabetes Day 2010, more than 2.6 million people in 57 countries were engaged in different Novo Nordisk activities.

“Together we are changing diabetes”

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Read more about the World Diabetes Day campaign at worlddiabetesday

See the IDF World Diabetes Atlas 5th edition