International Diabetes Federation Estimates 382M Living With Diabetes

“The world is losing the battle against diabetes as the number of people estimated to be living with the disease soars to a new record of 382 million this year, medical experts said on Thursday,” Reuters reports. “The vast majority have type 2 diabetes — the kind linked to obesity and lack of exercise — and the epidemic is spreading as more people in the developing world adopt Western, urban lifestyles,” the news service writes, noting, “The latest estimate from the International Diabetes Federation is equivalent to a global prevalence rate of 8.4 percent of the adult population and compares to 371 million cases in 2012.” Reuters adds, “By 2035, the organization predicts the number of cases will have soared by 55 percent to 592 million.” David Whiting, an epidemiologist and public health specialist at the International Diabetes Federation, “said that a strategy involving all parts of society was needed to improve diets and promote healthier lifestyles,” according to the news service (Hirschler, 11/13).

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