According to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, most young individuals with diabetes are not aware that they have the condition, which poses a serious risk to their health. From 2000 to 2023, researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) examined the diabetes care cascade for people of all ages, genders and 204 nations and territories. According to their findings, 44% of adults with diabetes who are 15 years of age or older are predicted to be ignorant of their illness in 2023.
Nonetheless, this also indicated an improvement over 2000, when 53% of individuals received a diagnosis, indicating that diabetes detection has advanced over time. Young adults had the highest rate of underdiagnosis. In 2023, only 26% of people between the ages of 15 and 39 received a diabetes diagnosis, making them the group with the lowest prevalence worldwide. However, because they have diabetes for a longer period of time, this group is more likely to experience lifetime issues than those who receive a diagnosis later in life, according to the study.
A study by IHME reveals that by 2050, 1.3 billion people will be living with diabetes, with nearly half unaware of the condition. Among those diagnosed, 91% were on pharmacological treatment, but only 42% had optimal blood sugar management. Regional disparities in diagnosis and treatment were found, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The research highlights the need for investment in screening programs and access to medications and glucose-monitoring tools in underserved regions.
