00:00Did you know that millions of people worldwide have diabetes without knowing it?
00:04Well, this is according to a new study which was published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology.
00:10Researchers from the Institute for Health Matrix and Evaluation at the University of Washington
00:14revealed some eye-opening facts about this silent health condition.
00:19In 2023, about 44% of people aged 15 and older with diabetes don't even know that they have it.
00:26That's nearly half of the diabetic population.
00:28It's especially alarming for young adults who are often undiagnosed despite being at higher risk for long-term complications.
00:36Now, what this really means is that many young people could be living with diabetes without proper care or even awareness.
00:42The study covered 204 countries and teletries providing a global view of diabetes diagnosis and treatment patterns.
00:50It also showed some serious gaps when it comes to diagnosing this particular disease.
00:55In some regions, diabetes is being missed far more than others.
00:58For example, high-income countries in North America have the highest rates of diagnosis.
01:02But when you talk about lower-income places like parts of Central, Sub-Saharan Africa,
01:07less than 20% of people with diabetes actually know that they have it.
01:11Now, among those who were diagnosed, 91% of people were receiving some form of medication.
01:17So, once people find out that they have diabetes, most of them are getting treatment.
01:21But here is a catch, only 42% of those on treatment had their blood sugar levels managed optimally.
01:28What this really means is that less than half of those being treated actually have their diabetes under good control.
01:36When you put that all together, it means that only about 21% of the people worldwide living with diabetes have their condition managed well.
01:44That's a huge number of people who might be at the risk of complications because their blood sugar isn't properly controlled.
01:51Now, the study also highlights disparities in treatment quality.
01:55So, where you live can significantly impact the quality of diabetes care that you receive.
01:59Experts are also warning that the situation could become a major health crisis in the coming decades.
02:05You see, by 2050, an estimated 1.3 billion people globally are expected to be living with diabetes.
02:11If nearly half of these cases remain undiagnosed, it could turn into a silent epidemic with serious consequences for individuals and healthcare systems alike.
02:21Lauren Stafford, the study's lead author, also cautioned for the urgent need for action.
02:27Now, one crucial step is investing in screening programs, especially for younger populations.
02:31Early diagnosis means that people can start getting treatment sooner, reducing the risk of complications.
02:38The study also emphasizes the importance of access to medications and glucose monitoring tools, particularly in underserved regions.
02:46Now, the World Health Organization has set a target to have 80% of people with diabetes clinically diagnosed by 2030.
02:54Now, achieving this goal will require coordinated efforts from governments, healthcare providers and international organizations.
03:01So, what can people really do to protect themselves?
03:05Being aware of the risk factors is very, very important.
03:08These include family history, obesity, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.
03:13Regular health checkups and monitoring blood sugar levels can help detect diabetes early.
03:19For those diagnosed, managing the condition is vital.
03:23Now, this means that following treatment plans, taking medications as prescribed, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular consultations with healthcare providers is very important.
03:34So, stay informed, get screened and take action because knowing is the first step to managing diabetes effectively.
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