Landmark Study Finds Mauritius Has Reversed Its Type 2 Diabetes Epidemic

Mauritius has reported a sustained decline in type 2 diabetes prevalence after decades of increase, based on long-term population data using the two-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), according to research to be presented at the EASD Annual Meeting 2026 and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

The findings are based on seven population surveys conducted in Mauritius between 1987 and 2021. Unlike many countries that rely mainly on fasting glucose or HbA1c, Mauritius used the OGTT to assess diabetes and intermediate hyperglycaemia, providing a consistent method for tracking changes over time.

Overall diabetes prevalence increased from 14.7% in 1987 to 23.3% in 2009. It then declined to 19.9% by 2021. Between 2009 and 2021, prevalence fell by 11% among men and 16% among women.

The researchers say the decline coincided with several public health measures targeting non-communicable diseases. These included national strategies for nutrition, physical activity and tobacco control, screening for risk factors through community and mobile services, public health campaigns and broader community participation.

Mauritius also introduced an integrated national action plan for non-communicable diseases and a national service framework defining standards for prevention and treatment. Public-sector healthcare services, including essential medicines, are available free of charge.

The researchers note that the country's experience may provide useful evidence for other nations facing rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the study does not establish that any single intervention caused the decline, and differences in population characteristics and healthcare systems may affect how applicable the findings are elsewhere.

The OGTT can identify some cases of diabetes and intermediate hyperglycaemia that may be missed by fasting glucose or HbA1c alone. The researchers say Mauritius' consistent use of the test over several decades provides an unusual opportunity to track the diabetes epidemic using the same diagnostic approach.

The findings suggest that coordinated population-level prevention, screening and diabetes management may help reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes, although further research is needed to determine which measures contributed most to the observed decline.

REFERENCE: Tuomilehto J, Kowlessur S, Zimmet P et al.; Trends in prevalence of type 2 diabetes and intermediate hyperglycaemia in Mauritius from 1987 to 2021 based on results from the oral glucose tolerance test: a repeated cross-sectional study; The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2026; DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(26)00127-0