A recent global study has found that a significant proportion of young adults living with diabetes are unaware of their condition, potentially paving the way for serious health complications.
Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the research analysed data across 204 countries between 2000 and 2023.
The study, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine, reveals that in 2023, approximately 44 per cent of people aged 15 and above with diabetes remained undiagnosed.
The issue is most severe among young adults aged 15 to 39, where just 26 per cent were diagnosed.
According to researchers, early-onset diabetes is particularly dangerous as it often leads to a lifetime of complications due to prolonged exposure to elevated blood glucose levels.
“With projections showing that 1.3 billion people could be living with diabetes by 2050, undiagnosed cases among the youth pose a serious global health risk,” said Lauryn Stafford, lead author of the study.
Treatment Exists, but Control Remains Elusive
Among those diagnosed, 91 per cent were receiving some form of pharmacological treatment.
However, only 42 per cent of them had their blood sugar levels under optimal control.
This means that globally, just 21 per cent of people with diabetes are effectively managing their condition.
The findings also highlight sharp disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
While North America reports the highest diagnostic rates, high-income Asia Pacific leads in treatment uptake. Southern Latin America recorded the best outcomes in blood sugar control among those treated.
In stark contrast, Central sub-Saharan Africa saw fewer than one in five individuals with diabetes aware of their condition, reflecting significant gaps in healthcare infrastructure.
With diabetes cases rising rapidly, the study urges governments and health bodies to invest in early screening programmes, particularly targeting younger demographics.
Expanding access to affordable medications and blood glucose monitoring tools, especially in low- and middle-income countries, is also critical.
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