Only 1 in 5 People with Diabetes Have Optimal Blood Sugar Control: Study Finds - Video

A significant proportion of people living with diabetes around the world remain unaware of their condition, with only one in five achieving optimal blood sugar control, according to a major new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. The research provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of diabetes care from 2000 to 2023, covering 204 countries and territories.

The study focused on the "diabetes care cascade," examining diagnosis rates, access to treatment, and success in blood glucose management among individuals aged 15 and older. In 2023, it was found that an estimated 44% of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, with underdiagnosis most pronounced among young adults—a group that faces heightened risks of long-term complications if left untreated.

Among those diagnosed, 91% were receiving pharmacological treatment. However, only 42% of those treated had their blood sugar levels under optimal control, meaning just 21% of all people with diabetes globally are managing the disease effectively.

The study highlighted stark regional disparities. High-income countries like those in North America and the Asia Pacific had the highest diagnosis and treatment rates, while Central sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest, with fewer than 20% of diabetes patients aware of their condition.

“By 2050, 1.3 billion people are expected to be living with diabetes, and if nearly half don’t know they have a serious and potentially deadly health condition, it could easily become a silent epidemic,” said Lauryn Stafford, first author and IHME researcher.

With diabetes cases rising rapidly, the study stresses the urgent need for early screening, particularly among younger populations and expanded access to treatment and glucose-monitoring tools, especially in underserved regions. The findings align with WHO’s 2022 global diabetes target, which aims to have 80% of people with diabetes diagnosed by 2030.

Reference: Global, regional, and national cascades of diabetes care, 2000–23: a systematic review and modelling analysis using findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study, Stafford, Lauryn K et al. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Volume 0, Issue 0