Global Burden of Disease

Diabetes Epidemic

642 million by 2040

revalence set to grow to

Every 10 seconds

a person dies from diabetes-related causes

415 million people worldwide

Diabetes currently affects

Every 10 seconds

two people develop diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body destroys insulin-producing cells, usually appearing in children or young adults, requiring lifelong insulin.

Type 2 diabetes develops from insulin resistance and reduced insulin production, often linked to obesity and lifestyle, and can be managed with lifestyle changes, medication, or insulin.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and usually goes away after birth but increases future diabetes risk.

Monogenic diabetes is caused by rare gene mutations affecting insulin and often runs in families, with treatment depending on the mutation.

Secondary diabetes arises from other medical conditions, such as pancreatic disease or certain medications, and is treated by addressing the cause and controlling blood sug

Diabetes is the most common human endocrine disease and the term covers a group of metabolic disorders whose central feature is elevated blood glucose, or hyperglycemia. While treatments have advanced in recent years, severe complications still sadly exist. The current difficulties in managing and treating diabetes can result in a deterioration of multiple tissue types, and severe complications can include: diabetic retinopathy and blindness, leg/foot ulcers and amputations, neuropathies, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, and strokes.

Diabetes can be divided into two main patient types:

Type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), typically appears after the age of 30. The disease is caused by an inability to secrete sufficient insulin or to respond adequately to it and is treated by dietary control, exercise, oral anti-diabetic drugs and insulin, either alone or in combination. NIDDM is not a life-threatening disease, unless ignored or left untreated in the long term, and 40-50% of those with Type 2 diabetes are probably undiagnosed.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), usually appears before or during puberty. It is caused by the auto-immune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic cells and is treated by insulin injections and dietary control. IDDM is a life-threatening disease, but almost all cases are successfully diagnosed and treated in the developed world.

Type 1 Diabetes

The recent increase in prevalence of Type 2 diabetes among younger people, often accompanied by obesity, is a major source of concern for public health authorities as it implies significant increases in long-term healthcare costs. There is no cure for either IDDM or NIDDM and the effective treatment for both type hinges upon the tight regulation of blood glucose levels.

Rising Type 2 Diabetes in Youth

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