World Health Day Focuses On Diabetes Prevention, Management; Lancet Report Shows Number Of Adults With Disease Nearly Quadrupled Over Past 35 Years

News outlets discuss World Health Day, recognized annually by WHO on April 7, and this year’s focus on diabetes management and prevention worldwide, as well as a report on diabetes trends published in The Lancet.

Agence France-Presse: Diabetes cases have quadrupled since 1980: WHO
“The number of adults estimated to be living with diabetes has nearly quadrupled over 35 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Wednesday, urging huge efforts to change eating habits and increase physical activity…” (Simon, 4/5).

Associated Press: WHO: Diabetes rises fourfold over last quarter-century
“…The Geneva-based agency blamed the growing consumption of food and beverages high in sugar. Diabetes grew around the world, but increased most in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia…” (4/6).

BBC News: Deadly diabetes in ‘unrelenting march’
“…High blood sugar levels are a major killer — linked to 3.7 million deaths around the world each year, it says. And officials said the numbers would continue to increase unless ‘drastic action’ was taken…” (Gallagher, 4/6).

The Guardian: WHO calls for healthier diets to combat alarming surge in diabetes
“…There are 422 million adults living with diabetes globally, most of them in poorer countries with limited access to treatment although the numbers are rising everywhere, says the report released for World Health Day on Thursday. That is 8.5 percent of the global adult population. In 1980, there were 108 million, which was 4.7 percent…” (Boseley, 4/6).

Reuters: Diabetes cases reach 422 million as poorer countries see steep rises
“…In one of the largest studies to date of diabetes trends, the researchers said aging populations and rising levels of obesity across the world mean diabetes is becoming ‘a defining issue for global public health’…” (Kelland, 4/6).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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