Highest Global Diabetes Burden: In 2022, India recorded the highest number of diabetics globally, accounting for over a quarter of the 82.8 crore cases worldwide. Approximately 21.
2 crore Indians or 23.7% of the population, were living with diabetes. Treatment Gap: Nearly 62% of diabetics in India were not on any treatment , which represents around 13.
3 crore people. This gap is significant, as untreated diabetes can lead to severe health complications. Comparatively, in China, which also has a large population, only 7.
8 crore diabetics were not on treatment out of 14.8 crore total diabetics. Historical Increase in Diabetes Prevalence: From 1990 to 2022, the prevalence of diabetes in India nearly doubled, with rates rising from 11.
9% to 23.7% in women and from 11.3% to 21.
4% in men . Slight Improvement in Treatment Coverage: Between 1990 and 2022, treatment coverage for diabetic women increased from 21.6% to 27.
8% and for men from 25.3% to 29.3% .
However, these increases remain inadequate relative to the high number of diabetics in the country. Global Comparison and Implications: In 2022, there were approximately 44.5 crore diabetics aged 30 and above worldwide who were not receiving treatment, a figure three and a half times higher than in 1990.
The lack of adequate treatment is particularly concerning in low- and middle-income countries, where younger individuals are increasingly diabetic and at risk of complications like amputation, cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, .