Diabetes
The situation in China
- According to 2012 data from the International Diabetes Federation, in 2012, 9.4% of the population has diabetes; 92.3 million adults have diabetes; 58.8% of cases of diabetes are undiagnosed.2
- Advancing age is highly correlated with diabetes in China: 3.2% of 20-39 year olds have diabetes; 11.5% of 40-59 year olds have diabetes; 20.4% of >60 year olds have diabetes.
- Prediabetes, an important risk factor for the development of diabetes is epidemic: 15.5% of the population has prediabetes; 148.2 million adults have prediabetes.
Lower education level means higher prevalence of diabetes
The study shows a significant inverse association between educational level and the prevalence of diabetes. Educational level is a good indicator of socioeconomic status, and a higher educational level has been associated with lower levels of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.4
*This study was carried out in 2007-2008 and involved 46,239 adults aged 20 and older from 14 provinces and municipalities. It was published in 2010 in the reputable New England Journal of Medicine.
Diabetes projected to increase
According to the International Diabetes Federation, projections show that by 2030, 129 million people could have diabetes in China, an estimated 12.1% of the population.
Diabetes is costly
In 2012, the mean healthcare expenditure per person with diabetes is estimated to be USD $193.91 in China.
Risk factors for diabetes
- Risk factors include being overweight or obese, lack of physical exercise, and a sedentary lifestyle.
- China has 200 million overweight people and 60 million obese people.
Diagnosis
Although in high-income countries, the diagnosis is made by fasting plasma glucose level, a simpler blood test (hemoglobin A1C) is being investigated for diagnostic use in low and middle-income countries.
Complications of diabetes include:
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic, life-long conditions that require careful monitoring and control. Without proper management they can lead to very high blood sugar levels which can result in long term damage to various organs and tissues.
Cardiovascular disease:
affects the heart and blood vessels and may cause fatal complications such as coronary heart disease (leading to heart attack) and stroke. Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in people with diabetes, accounting in most populations for 50% or more of all diabetes fatalities, and much disability.