More than 800 million cases of diabetes worldwide: an urgent call to action

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• Worldwide, the number of adults with diabetes has increased to more than 800 million, a fourfold increase since 1990.
• Nearly 450 million adults age 30 and older, accounting for about 59 percent of people with diabetes, are untreated.
• 90 percent of these untreated adults live in low- and middle-income countries.

Globally, the number of diabetes cases has increased dramatically in recent decades to more than 800 million adults worldwide. This increase, a fourfold increase since 1990, underscores the urgency of global action to combat both rising disease rates and the growing gap in access to treatment. , especially in low and middle income countries.

This alarming trend is the result of a number of factors, including an increase in obesity, fueled by unhealthy food marketing, sedentary lifestyles and economic challenges. Experts emphasize the need for immediate policy changes that promote healthy diet and physical activity, along with strong health care systems that provide prevention, early detection and effective treatment.

The growing gap in diabetes treatment

The study reveals significant variation in the prevalence of diabetes worldwide, with LMICs experiencing the most significant increases despite continued limited access to treatment. As a result, nearly 450 million adults age 30 and older, who make up about 59 percent of people with diabetes, remain untreated—a threefold increase since 1990. Eighty percent of these untreated adults living in LMICs.

Regions such as WHO Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean have reported diabetes prevalence rates of more than 20 percent among adults aged 18 and older. These regions, next to Africa, show the lowest diabetes treatment rates, with less than 40 percent of individuals diagnosed taking glucose-lowering medications.

Global response to the diabetes epidemic

In response to this global challenge, WHO is launching a new diabetes monitoring framework, providing countries with comprehensive guidance on measuring and evaluating diabetes prevention, care, outcomes and impact. sugar This standardized method allows countries to monitor key indicators such as glycemic control, hypertension and access to essential medicines, enabling targeted interventions and policy initiatives for effective resource allocation.

The World Diabetes Compact WHOestablished in 2021, aims to reduce the risk of diabetes and ensure equal access to comprehensive, affordable treatment and care for all people diagnosed with the disease the sugar The Compact also supports the prevention of type 2 diabetes by tackling obesity, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

Key targets for global diabetes action

In addition, WHO has achieved five global diabetes coverage targets by 2030, including ensuring that 80 percent of people with diagnosed diabetes achieve good glycemic control. This highlights the urgent need for action to close the treatment gap.

The upcoming Fourth United Nations General Assembly Summit on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in September 2025 provides a critical opportunity to boost global efforts against the rise in diabetes. This meeting will bring together heads of state and government to establish a bold vision for the prevention and control of NCDs, including diabetes, through joint action to address root causes and improve access to detection and improve treatment.

Strengthening global health systems

The study published today, led by the NCD Risk Factor Collaborative (NCD-RisC) in collaboration with WHO, represents the first comprehensive global study of both levels of the disease. -sugar and treatment coverage based on data from more than 140 million people aged 18 years or older from more than 1000 studies covering populations around the world. By using an updated method of measuring the prevalence of diabetes, this study provides a more accurate picture of global diabetes.

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