Diabetes is becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing health threats, yet nearly half of people living with the disease may not even know they have it.
A new global study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, reveals that 44% of adults aged 15 and older with diabetes remain undiagnosed.
The research, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington in collaboration with scientists worldwide, examined data from 2000 to 2023 across 204 countries and territories.
It looked at the full “care cascade” for diabetes, including diagnosis, treatment, and whether blood sugar levels are being controlled effectively.
The findings paint a troubling picture.
While most people who are diagnosed—about 91%—do receive medication, only 42% of those on treatment actually achieve healthy blood sugar control. This means that, overall, just 21% of people with diabetes worldwide are managing their condition optimally.
Younger adults face some of the largest gaps. Although they are at higher risk of long-term complications if their diabetes goes untreated, they are also the most likely to remain undiagnosed.
Researchers warn that this puts millions at risk of serious problems later in life, including heart disease, kidney failure, and vision loss.
The study also revealed stark differences between regions. In high-income countries, diagnosis rates were higher, with North America leading the way.
High-income Asia Pacific had the best record for ensuring that diagnosed patients received medication, while Southern Latin America showed the best results for keeping blood sugar under control among those on treatment.
In contrast, parts of Central sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest diagnosis rates, with fewer than 20% of people aware that they had diabetes.
“By 2050, an estimated 1.3 billion people will be living with diabetes,” said Lauryn Stafford, lead author of the study and a researcher at IHME. “If nearly half remain unaware of their condition, diabetes could become a silent epidemic.”
The researchers stress the urgent need for greater investment in screening programs, particularly for younger populations, and wider access to affordable medications and glucose-monitoring tools in underserved regions.
The World Health Organization has set a goal for 80% of people with diabetes to be clinically diagnosed by 2030, but reaching this target will require stronger global action.
For now, the message is clear: better awareness and early detection are critical to tackling one of the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century.
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Source: KSR.
