The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports that diabetes is running at record levels worldwide — and half of the cases are still undiagnosed.
The number of people living with diabetes in 2012 is now estimated around 371 million, up about 5 million from a year ago, and approximately 187 million do not yet know they have the condition. By 2030, the IDF estimates 552 million people will be living with the disease — which equates to approximately three new cases every 10 seconds.
According to the IDF, the disease is spreading rapidly in poorer countries where infectious diseases have traditionally been the focus of healthcare systems. The IDF reported that diabetes cases are expected to increase by 90% by 2030 in some of the poorest regions such as Africa.
Other global figures for diabetes in 2012 released by the IDF include:
8.3% – prevalence of diabetes in adults
4.8 million – deaths due to diabetes
$471.6 billion – total healthcare expenditures
Notable statistics by region include the following:
11% of adults in the North America and Caribbean Region have diabetes and $227.2 billion were spent on treating diabetes in the region.
4.3% of adults in the Africa Region have diabetes and this region has the highest percentage of people with undiagnosed diabetes (81%).
8.4% of adults have diabetes in the Europe Region and 138.8 billion euro were spent on treating diabetes in the region.
The Middle East and North Africa region has the highest prevalence of diabetes in adults (11%) and $12 billion were spent on treating diabetes in the region.
8.7 % of adults in the South-East Asia Region have diabetes. One fifth of all adults living with diabetes, live in the region.
Click here for more information on the 5th edition Diabetes Atlas and country-by-country statistics.
