Why Billions Are at Risk of Dying from Diabetes: Understanding the Global Crisis

Diabetes has quietly become one of the most significant health challenges worldwide, putting billions of people at risk for serious health complications and premature death. Once considered a rare disease, diabetes is now reaching epidemic levels, fueled by changes in lifestyle, diet, and demographics. In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that about 537 million adults (ages 20–79) were living with diabetes globally—a number expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Here’s why diabetes has become so widespread, blog.simpleledger.at why so many lives are at risk, and what can be done to mitigate the crisis.
1. The Global Rise of Type 2 Diabetes

Most cases of diabetes worldwide are Type 2, which is often linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. While Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and typically cannot be prevented, Type 2 diabetes is largely driven by preventable factors and accounts for about 90-95% of all cases.

Key factors fueling Type 2 diabetes include:

Sedentary lifestyles: The rise in sedentary jobs and screen-based activities has significantly reduced physical activity. Exercise is crucial for regulating blood sugar and maintaining insulin sensitivity, and inactivity increases the risk of diabetes.
Unhealthy diets: Diets high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats contribute to weight gain and insulin resistance, both of which are closely linked to Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese is one of the strongest risk factors for diabetes. Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, makes it harder for the body to regulate blood sugar levels.

As developing countries experience rapid economic and lifestyle changes, diabetes rates are increasing, often faster than in developed countries, putting a growing number of people at risk.
2. Limited Access to Healthcare and Early Diagnosis

Many people with diabetes remain undiagnosed for years. Type 2 diabetes often has few early symptoms, and without regular checkups, it can go unnoticed until severe complications develop. This is particularly problematic in low- and middle-income countries where access to healthcare is limited.

Challenges in diagnosis and treatment include:

Lack of awareness: Many people are unaware of diabetes risk factors and symptoms, which delays diagnosis and early intervention.
Healthcare disparities: Limited access to healthcare services, especially in rural or underserved areas, means that people may not receive regular checkups or blood glucose testing.
Cost of care: Diabetes management requires ongoing care, medication, and monitoring, which can be financially burdensome. In some regions, the cost of diabetes care is out of reach for many.

The longer diabetes remains undiagnosed or poorly managed, the greater the risk of serious complications, which can be life-threatening.
3. The Burden of Diabetes Complications

Diabetes is not just about managing blood sugar; it has severe, life-threatening complications when left unmanaged. Many of these complications are what put people’s lives at risk:

Cardiovascular disease: People with diabetes are at a much higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes.
Kidney disease: Diabetes can lead to kidney failure, requiring dialysis or kidney transplants to sustain life. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease worldwide.
Vision loss: Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the retina.
Nerve damage and amputations: Nerve damage (neuropathy) from high blood sugar levels can lead to pain, numbness, and infections, often requiring amputations of limbs, especially feet.

These complications contribute to high mortality rates among people with diabetes and significantly decrease quality of life.
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