Diabetes is a serious health challenge
Dr. Satyawan Saurabh
Diabetes has emerged as a serious public health challenge globally, and India now leads the pack in both prevalence and undiagnosed cases, with 212 million people living with the disease and 133 million people over the age of 30 living without treatment.
The rise in diabetes cases in India, driven by changes in lifestyle, dietary patterns, and tobacco use, poses significant obstacles to achieving the World Health Organization’s 2030 goal of ensuring that 80% of people with diabetes are diagnosed and 80% of them achieve glycemic control.
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) is too high. It develops when your pancreas does not make enough insulin or any at all, or when your body does not respond properly to the effects of insulin.
Diabetes affects people of all ages. Most forms of diabetes are chronic (lifelong), and all forms can be managed with medications and/or lifestyle changes. Glucose (sugar) comes mainly from carbohydrates in your food and drinks. It is your body’s main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all the cells in your body to be used for energy.
When glucose is in your bloodstream, it needs help—a “key”—to get to its final destination. That key is insulin (a hormone). If your pancreas isn’t making enough insulin or your body isn’t using it properly, glucose accumulates in your bloodstream, causing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
Over time, persistently high blood sugar levels can cause health problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage, and eye problems. The technical name for diabetes is diabetes mellitus. Another condition shares the term “diabetes”—diabetes insipidus—but they are different. They share the name “diabetes” because they both cause increased thirst and frequent urination. Diabetes insipidus is much rarer than diabetes mellitus.
Recent studies have provided a more comprehensive assessment of diabetes prevalence incorporating fasting plasma glucose levels. This helps identify undiagnosed cases, especially in high-burden regions such as South Asia. Initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke aim to provide free screening and management services. Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres are being used to expand access to diagnosis.
Telemedicine services and mobile health units are increasingly being deployed to reach underserved areas. Integration of digital health platforms supports patient tracking and follow-up. National campaigns highlight lifestyle changes such as healthy diet and physical activity to reduce diabetes risk factors. With 133 million people over the age of 30 undiagnosed, there is a significant gap in early detection.
Many individuals remain asymptomatic or unaware of their condition, especially in rural and underserved areas. Unhealthy diets rich in carbohydrates and saturated fats, sedentary lifestyles, and inadequate public attention to tobacco use as risk factors for diabetes compound the problem.
Tobacco use increases the risk of diabetes by 30-40%, yet its link to diabetes is underemphasized in public health policies. There is a significant shortage of diagnostic facilities and trained health workers in rural areas. Poor integration of gestational diabetes management into maternal health services increases long-term risks to mothers and children. High out-of-pocket expenses for diabetes care prevent many individuals from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment. Lack of coordinated action: Poor linkages between diagnostic services, treatment facilities, and community-based interventions hinder comprehensive diabetes management.
Being diagnosed with diabetes is a life-changing event, but it doesn’t mean you can’t live a happy and healthy life. Managing diabetes requires constant care and diligence. Although it may seem overwhelming initially, over time you will gain a better understanding of how to manage the condition and live in harmony with your body. Keep visiting your healthcare provider(s) regularly.
Managing diabetes requires a team effort—you will want medical professionals, friends, and family to be with you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you need help. While India has taken steps to address diabetes, the magnitude of the challenge requires intensive and coordinated efforts. Increasing diagnosis, integrating comprehensive care at the primary level, and addressing lifestyle and behavioral factors, especially tobacco use, are critical to meeting the 2030 WHO targets.
(The author is a Poet, freelance journalist and a columnist)
