What causes diabetes, what are the different types and how can it be treated?
IndependentDec 23, 2022
The Facts
According to a study published in The Lancet on Thursday, more than 800M adults globally had type 1 or type 2 diabetes in 2022 — over four times the 1990 figure — primarily driven by rising cases in low- and middle-income countries.
The 2022 figure is nearly double the earlier World Health Organization estimate of 422M. In rich nations like Japan and Canada, the rate of diabetes either remained stable or had fallen. India topped the list with about 212M diabetes cases.
The Spin
Narrative A
Diabetes is an insidious global threat. Rising obesity, urbanization, and the high cost of healthy living fuel an unprecedented surge in type 2 diabetes, especially in poorer countries. Many face diets dominated by affordable, highly processed foods while struggling to afford better choices, with climate change worsening food insecurity. Access to diagnosis and treatment is also often limited — leaving millions undiagnosed or untreated and bringing heavy personal and economic burdens.
Narrative B
With over 800M people now living with diabetes worldwide, a bold shift in treatment is overdue. Rather than the current one-size-fits-all prescriptions, a personalized, precision-based approach — tailoring medications to each individual's unique genetics and underlying causes — is essential. This strategy promises better health outcomes and reduced costs, empowering healthcare systems to address the root causes of diabetes and to meet the diverse needs of patients.