Professor Nam H. Cho
President, International Diabetes Federation
“Diabetes is on the rise across the globe as reported in the Eighth edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, published this World Diabetes Day. There is urgency for greater action to improve diabetes outcomes and reduce the global burden of diabetes now affecting more than 425 million people. A further 352 million people are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Rapid urbanization, unhealthy diets and increasingly sedentary lifestyles are to blame.
“Low- and middle-income countries carry almost 80 per cent of the diabetes burden.
“Rapid urbanisation, unhealthy diets and increasingly sedentary lifestyles have resulted in unprecedented rates of obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, many countries do not have adequate resources to provide preventive or medical care for their populations.
“We must raise awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity, and incorporate healthy environments into urban planning.
“Health professionals in primary healthcare should be adequately and appropriately trained about diabetes prevention and care and provided with necessary screening tools and diabetes medications.”
