The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) says diabetes care should transcend blood sugar management, as the mental well-being of no fewer than 400 million people is impacted by the daily burden of managing diabetes.
Its President, Prof. Peter Schwarz, said this on Wednesday during an IDF and World Health Organisation (WHO) webinar to commemorate World Diabetes Day.
The meeting had the theme: “World Diabetes Day: Uniting to put well-being at the heart of diabetes care.”
Schwarz noted that while diabetes affected both physical and mental well-being, care often focused only on blood sugar management, leaving many people living with the condition overwhelmed.
According to him, a new global survey conducted by IDF reveals that 77 per cent of people living with diabetes have experienced anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition because of diabetes.
He said the fear of developing complications was the most common factor impacting mental well-being, which was expressed by 83 per cent of respondents to the survey.
Schwarz noted that 76 per cent of respondents are affected by daily diabetes management, stigma and discrimination affects 58 per cent and fear of needles affects 55 per cent.
The president maintained that the survey highlighted a clear call for better support, with 3 in 4 people living with diabetes seeking increased support for their emotional and mental well-being from their healthcare providers.
“Although diabetes doesn’t always lead to mental health challenges, a significant 79 per cent of participants report experiencing diabetes burnout, primarily due to the emotional strain and demands of daily management.
“Alarmingly, three in four of those affected by burnout admitted to stopping or interrupting their diabetes treatment due to stress or feeling overwhelmed,” he said.
Schwarz averred that the latest IDF data estimated that over half a billion people currently live with diabetes, with one in eight people set to be affected by 2045.
“Bearing those figures in mind, our survey suggests that the mental well-being of over 400 million people could be impacted due to the daily burden of managing their condition.
“While diabetes affects both physical and mental well-being, care often focuses only on blood sugar management, leaving many overwhelmed. We need to look beyond blood sugar for a better diabetes life,” he said.
According to him, the survey was conducted across seven countries in six regions, with participants from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain and the USA.
“This World Diabetes Day, IDF is calling on healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities to recognise the profound impact of diabetes on well-being.
“Putting well-being at the heart of diabetes care can improve health outcomes and the overall quality of life for the millions of people living with diabetes worldwide,” he said.
He appealed to individuals to support the IDF’s call to policymakers to dedicate more human and financial resources to help achieve the WHO diabetes coverage targets by 2030.
Also, the Acting Director, of the WHO Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation and Disability, Dr Guy Fones, appealed to public health actors to develop equitable and contextual solutions to address the growing silent pandemic of NCDs, and mental health.
Fones said the WHO inaugurated the Global Diabetes Compact in response to the increasing burden of diabetes globally.
He said the Compact had the vision of reducing the risk of diabetes, ensuring that all people who are diagnosed with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care.
“The work undertaken as part of the Compact will also support the prevention of type 2 diabetes from obesity, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity,” he said.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by the IDF and WHO in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes.
The day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nations Resolution 61/225.
It is marked annually on Nov. 14, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of therapeutic insulin in 1921.
NAN
