Hypertension, Cardiology, Primary Health and Patient Care

Diabetes & Public Health

Diabetes is considered as a major public health issue which is emerging as a pandemic. In 1995, an estimated 135 million people had diagnosed diabetes worldwide and by 2025, the projected number is expected to reach at least 300 million. In developed countries the number of diabetes affected individuals will increase by from 51 million to 72 million and in developing countries the number are expected to rise from 84 million to a staggering 228 million. Insulin resistance, physical inactivity, obesity, and dietary factors are a few potentially modifiable risk issues associated with diabetes. Although there are various types of diabetes, it is generally categorised into 3 major types. Type 1 diabetes is the one in which the body loses its ability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs due to a combination of resistance to insulin and insufficient insulin production. Gestational diabetes is the third major type of diabetes. A common complication during pregnancy, it can lead to perinatal complications in mother and child and significantly increases the chances of caesarean section. It is also considered as a risk factor for the mother and the child’s subsequent development of type 2 diabetes later in life after the affected pregnancy. Visits from public health individuals are necessary as some patients require regular insulin injections. If left untreated diabetes can lead to various other diseases and at sometimes it can be as severe as a potential life risk for the patient. Diabetes also poses greater difficulty in treatment of other diseases as diabetic patients require very specific medications.