Infographic: Diabetes — the silent scourge

SINGAPORE — An estimated 242 million adults globally were living with diabetes in 2014, compared with 108 million in 1980.

The global prevalence (age-standardised) of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7 per cent to 8.5 per cent in the adult population. This reflects an increase in associated risk factors such as being overweight or obese.

Over the past decade, diabetes prevalence has risen faster in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.

Singapore launched a 'war on diabetes' last month, unveiling a long-term national strategy that will promote good eating habits and exercise, and encourage early screening and better disease management. Complications from the disease, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in launching the campaign, not only reduce the patient's quality of life but also increase the burden on families and society as a whole. He cited a public health study that estimated the total economic burden of diabetes for working-age adults at more than a billion dollars in 2010.

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