About 62 million people have diabetes in America, 40% of sufferers have not been diagnosed

diabetes is the sixth cause of death and the second cause of disability in the American continent; However, 40% of the at least 62 million who suffer from it are not aware of it and the disease continues to wreak havoc among the population, reported the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

on the eve of world diabetes daycommemorated every November 14 with the aim of raising awareness about the disease, the regional health agency said in its report about the condition that the number of diabetics has tripled in the last three decades and warned that this disease could reach up to 109 million people by 2040 if current trends continue.

Obesity, unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyle

PAHO attributed the rapid increase in diabetes cases to rising rates of obesity, poor diets, and lack of physical activity, explaining that two thirds of adults in the region are overweight or obese, and only 60% get enough exercise. Currently, more than 30% of young people are obese or overweight, almost double the world average.

diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 40 to 74, of lower extremity amputations and of chronic kidney disease. In addition, it triples the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, kidney disease or cancer and increases the risk of suffering severe forms of COVID-19 and dying from it.

diagnostic technologies

The health agency explained that there are six basic technologies necessary for the management of diabetes and specified that only twelve countries on the continent have these toolswhich include kits to measure blood glucose, tests for the early diagnosis of complications and urine test strips for the analysis of glucose and ketones.

The director of PAHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Anselm Hennis, stated that “it is essential that everyone, everywhere, have access to these basic diagnostic and management tools necessary to prevent disability related to diabetes”.

Preventive and control measures

To prevent further progression of diabetes and control the disease among those who already suffer from it, PAHO urged countries to take a series of measures, including:

• Improve the ability to early diagnosis and prevent its complications
• Increase the availability and access of patients to a quality care including essential medicines such as insulin, glucose monitoring devices, and self-management support
• Develop strategies and policies to promote a healthy lifestyle and nutrition and thus prevent obesity
• reinforce the surveillance and monitoring to ensure good control of diabetes

metabolic disease

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes and usually appears in adults when the body becomes resistant or does not produce enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin on its own.

PAHO supports countries in the design, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to prevent and control diabetes. PAHO’s Strategic Fund works to strengthen universal access to essential medicines and technologies for the treatment of diabetes in the region, allowing Member States to obtain insulin at low-cost prices. The Global Compact against Diabetes of the World Health Organization it also reinforces this commitment and provides a roadmap for countries to address the disease.