THE COST OF SWEETNESS: DIABETES AND ITS IMPACT ON INDIA

Diabetes has emerged as a major public health challenge in India, which is home to the second-largest population of people living with diabetes in the world, after China.

- DR RAMKESH SINGH PARMAR

Diabetes has emerged as a major public health challenge in India, which is home to the second-largest population of people living with diabetes in the world, after China. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) study, over 100 million Indians are currently living with diabetes, with millions more in the prediabetic stage. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, primarily driven by urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and increasing rates of obesity. Rapid changes in lifestyle, especially in urban areas, have led to a rise in risk factors such as high-calorie diets, lack of physical activity, and stress. These issues are further compounded by genetic susceptibility among Indians, who are more prone to developing insulin resistance at lower body mass indexes compared to Western populations. Rural areas, traditionally less affected, are also seeing a growing prevalence due to changing dietary habits and reduced physical labor.

The disease burden is not limited to individuals—it significantly impacts the healthcare system and economy. Diabetes increases the risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and lower-limb amputations, leading to high healthcare costs and lost productivity.

India faces challenges in diabetes management, including limited awareness, poor access to affordable healthcare, and lack of early diagnosis. Many people remain undiagnosed until complications arise. Government programs like the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) aim to improve awareness, screening, and management at the community level.