WHO "800 million people with diabetes in the world...quadruple from 1990"

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of diabetics in the world has quadrupled from more than 30 years ago to 800 million.

"Since 1990, the number of diabetic patients has increased alarmingly due to a combination of factors such as increased obesity, increased consumption of harmful foods, lack of physical activity, and economic difficulties," WHO said in a press release.

The WHO tracked and analyzed trends in diabetes patients in the world from 1990 to 2022 and found that not only did the number of diabetics more than quadruple over 30 years, but the prevalence of diabetes also increased from 7% to 14%.

As of 2022, the number of adults aged 30 or older who do not receive treatment out of 800 million diabetics was about 450 million, 3.5 times the number in 1990.

In other words, about 59% of all patients suffer from diabetes without treatment.

The prevalence of adult diabetes in Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean region is about 20% above average, the WHO said. "These two regions, along with Africa, have the lowest diabetes treatment rates."

"To curb diabetes, countries must take urgent action," WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus said. "We need to come up with policies to support a healthy diet and physical activity, and establish a health system to provide prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment."