Diabetes epidemic continues to rise in India

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is calling for prompt action to reverse the growing numbers of people with diabetes in the country. Diabetes in India has assumed epidemic proportions and there are now more than 77 million people in the country with the condition.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF), India, says that, with more than 77 million diabetics, the country now has the second highest number of people suffering from this chronic metabolic condition in the world.

Highlighting the importance of taking action now, Dr Sanjeev Mishra, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, says, that by 2045, this number will double if prompt action is not taken. PHOTO Dr Sanjeev Mishra calls for prompt action.

At least 134 million Indians will have diabetes by 2045 and the well-being of our people will take a major hit. It cannot be ignored that the shift in the disease pattern since 1990 can be correlated with the increase in consumption of processed food.

The rapid rise in diabetes across socioeconomic categories and age groups has been fuelled by a massive alteration in the dietary habits of Indians. If we want to control the diabetes epidemic, we have to act now,” he said.

Have You Got News For Us!

Please let us know what’s happening in your part of the world, to share your successes and even failures, to help others with the same objectives to reduce the numbers of people with diabetes, encourage early diagnosis and campaign for the best treatments.

Get in touch with info@pdgn.co.uk

Diabetes Health Priority in Kerala

Health and Family Welfare Minister, Veena George, has stated that Kerala is working towards combating lifestyle diseases with the focus on diabetes which is on the rise in the state. She put the rise down to insufficient physical exercise and altered food habits causing an increase in blood sugar levels among the people of Kerala.

Advocacy Action – Is there similar growth, and for similar reasons in your country? Are there any initiatives, plans or campaigns you are or could be promoting? Could more be done to raise the profile of the issue inside and outside of your Parliament/Assembly?