Diabetes affects millions of people and is the eighth leading cause of death worldwide. The South-East Asia region alone is home to approximately 96 million people with diabetes and half of those affected remain undiagnosed and untreated, with potentially serious health consequences. In 2013, the total health-care expenditure on diabetes accounted for approximately 11 percent of global health-care expenditure.
In Bangladesh, diabetes is a public health issue of national concern, with almost one in ten adults suffering from the condition. If left untreated, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke at an early age and premature death. Body weight and the presence of hypertension are also associated with likelihood of diabetes. Despite this knowledge, treatment and control rates in Bangladesh remain low. Results from the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS) survey on chronic diseases risk factors in 2010 showed that 83 percent of the population of Bangladesh had never had their blood glucose level measured.
The good news is that a large proportion of diabetes cases are preventable and the main goal of our World Health Day campaign this year is to increase awareness about diabetes. Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes, which accounts for the majority of cases. Maintaining normal body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet can all reduce the risk of diabetes. These individual level interventions should be encouraged to prevent and control diabetes. Specific, effective and affordable actions should be taken by the government and these will also include steps to diagnose, treat and care for people with diabetes.
Diabetes is treatable; with proper management, those affected can live long and healthy lives. Increasing access to diagnostic facilities, self-management education and affordable treatment are vital components of the response. Diabetes can be managed successfully.
It is time we collectively act to prevent, treat and beat diabetes.