Understanding Diabetes: Types, Risks, Prevention, Care

Diabetes prevalence trends and global burden

Diabetes prevalence and global burden have risen sharply over recent decades. The number of people living with diabetes increased from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, and prevalence is growing faster in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. In 2022, 14% of adults aged 18 years and older were living with diabetes (up from 7% in 1990), and more than half (59%) of adults aged 30 years and over with diabetes were not taking medication; treatment coverage was lowest in low- and middle-income settings. The health impact is substantial and includes both direct and indirect mortality and major complications. In 2021, diabetes was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths, with 47% of diabetes deaths occurring before age 70. Diabetes also contributed to an additional 530,000 deaths from kidney disease caused by diabetes, and high blood glucose accounted for around 11% of cardiovascular deaths. Since 2000, diabetes mortality rates have been increasing, even as overall mortality from other major noncommunicable diseases has declined globally. Diabetes leads to severe outcomes such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. Prevention and control—especially for type 2 diabetes—are possible through healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining normal body weight, avoiding tobacco, early detection, regular screening, and appropriate treatment (including medication when needed). WHO supports surveillance, prevention, and control efforts, with initiatives such as the Global Diabetes Compact and global coverage targets for 2030.

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Diabetes causes and effects on organs

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