422 million people worldwide have diabetes according to a report released on Thursday by World Health Orgainzation. Marking the World Heath Day, a global health awareness day celebrated every year on 7 April, under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO), the “Global report on diabetes” said that the number of people living with diabetes and its prevalence are growing in all regions of the world and stands at 8.5% of the population.
"The epidemic of diabetes has major health and socioeconomic impacts, especially in developing countries. Diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths in 2012. Higher-than-optimal blood glucose caused an additional 2.2 million deaths by increasing the risks of cardiovascular and other diseases," reads the report.
The report also noted that many of the deaths usually occurs prematurely and are largely preventable through 'adoption of policies to create supportive environments for healthy lifestyles and better detection and treatment of the disease.'
"Good management includes use of a small set of generic medicines; interventions to promote healthy lifestyles; patient education to facilitate self-care; and regular screening for early detection and treatment of complications.
Measures needed include expanding health- promoting environments to reduce diabetes risk factors, like physical inactivity and unhealthy diets, and strengthening national capacities to help people with diabetes receive the treatment and care they need to manage their conditions." the report said.