Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) estimates that up to 70% of type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented through lifestyle interventions, including:
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight
- Being physically active – at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days
- Eating a healthy diet of between 3 and 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day and reducing sugar and saturated fats intake
- Avoiding tobacco use
Screening for type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications.
- Diabetes is a huge and growing burden: 415 million adults were living with diabetes in 2015 and this number is expected to increase to around 642 million or one in ten adults by 2040.
- One in two adults with diabetes is undiagnosed.
- Many people live with type 2 diabetes for a long period of time without being aware of their condition. By the time of diagnosis, diabetes complications may already be present.
- Up to 70% of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented or delayed by adopting healthier lifestyles, equivalent to up to 160 million cases by 2040.
- With increasing levels of poor nutrition and physical inactivity among children in many countries, type 2 diabetes in childhood has the potential to become a global public health issue leading to serious health outcomes.
- 12% of total global expenditure on health is currently spent on adults with diabetes.
- The number of people with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries will continue to grow, posing a threat to sustainable development.
Screening for diabetes complications is an essential part of managing all types of diabetes.
- One in two people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, which makes them particularly susceptible to the complications of the condition, causing substantial disability and premature death.
- More than 640 million of us may be living with diabetes by 2040. Delayed diagnosis means that many people with type 2 diabetes will suffer from at least one complication by the time they are diagnosed with diabetes.
- In many countries diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and lower-limb amputation.
- More of us will develop and live with type 1 diabetes. Screening for diabetes complications is an important part of effective management of the disease, to ensure optimal health.
- Of the 415 million adults worldwide living with diabetes in 2015,1 over one third will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy – a complication of diabetes that can lead to vision impairment and blindness.
- More than 93 million adults, or one in three, currently living with diabetes have diabetic retinopathy.
- The management of diabetes and its complications begins in primary health care and this should include screening for diabetic retinopathy
- Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can prevent vision loss and reduce the impact of diabetes on individuals, their carers and society.
- Careful management of diabetes and screening for diabetic eye disease can help prevent visual impairment and blindness.
- Global health spending to treat diabetes and manage complications was estimated at e USD 673 billion in 2015.
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