2.1 Diabetes Epidemiology

Summary

Diabetes has reached epidemic levels. Globally, 387 million adults aged 20 to 79 years, or 8.3% of the world’s population, were estimated to be living with diabetes in 2014. This serious health burden is expected to rise to 592 million individuals by 2035, an increase of 53% in 21 years. By the end of 2013, there were 5.1 million deaths among adults aged 20 to 79 years worldwide attributable to diabetes. Globally, roughly 50% of these deaths occurred in individuals under the age of 60 years. By comparison, in less developed regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa, this proportion is a staggering 75%.

Quiz Module 2.1

1. The risk of developing a diabetes-related complication such as diabetic retinopathy occurs whenever

2. The relative burden of diabetes and related complications is greatest in low- and middle-income countries because:

3. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in the populations of: