WITH the world recognizing November 14th as World Diabetes Day, the Pan American Health Organization is raising alarm over the level of cases being seen in the hemisphere.
The hemispheric body is concerned that the number of cases could increase to more than 100 million over the next decade, up from its current numbers which have been increasing over the past 1o years.
Concern for the health agency is that there is a large swath of the populace which does not know they are living with the ailment.
In a media statement, PAHO pointed to growing rates of obesity, poor diets and lack of physical activity, among other factors, that have contributed to “a more than three-fold increase in the number of adults living with diabetes in the Americas in the past 30 years”.
“At least 62 million people live with diabetes in the Americas, a number which is expected to be much higher given that around 40% of those with the disease are unaware they have the condition. If current trends continue, the number of people with diabetes in the region is projected to reach 109 million by 2040.
