Diabetes Fact Sheet

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or alternatively, when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
The most common type of diabetes is type 2, which accounts for about 90% of all diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia which is first recognized during pregnancy.
Women with Gestational Diabetes are at increased risk of future diabetes, predominantly type 2 diabetes, as are their children.
Until recently type 2 diabetes was seen only in adults but is now occurring in obese children.

The World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) estimates that diabetes currently affects more than 230 million people. Without action, this number is likely to grow to 350 million in less than 20 years.
Diabetes affects more than 70 million women in the world. This figure is projected to double by 2025. 55% of diabetes deaths are in women.
In 2007, the three countries with the largest numbers of people with diabetes are India, China and the United States.
Almost 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.
At least 50% of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. In some countries this figure may reach 80%.
Up to 80% of type 2 diabetes is preventable by adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity.

Diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of blindness and occurs as a result of long-term accumulated damage to the small blood vessels in the retina.
Combined with reduced blood flow, neuropathy in the feet increases the chance of foot ulcers and eventual limb amputation.
Diabetes is among the leading causes of kidney failure. 10-20% of people with diabetes die of kidney failure.
Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The overall risk of dying among people with diabetes is at least double the risk of their peers without diabetes.

Diabetes and its complications impose significant economic consequences on individuals, families, health systems and countries.
The annual direct healthcare costs of diabetes worldwide for people between the ages of 20-79 are estimated to be at least 153 billion international dollars and may be as much as 286 billion.

Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive blood testing.
Interventions that are both cost saving and feasible in developing countries include:
- Moderate blood glucose control. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin; people with type 2 diabetes can be treated with oral medication, but may also require insulin.
- Blood pressure control.
- Foot care.

*Fact sheet prepared by Sophie Ilondo