A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology revealed that a significant portion of individuals with diabetes worldwide are either undiagnosed or not receiving adequate care.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine, along with global partners, conducted a comprehensive analysis of the diabetes care cascade across all age groups, genders, and numerous countries from 2000 to 2023.
In 2023, it was estimated that 44% of individuals aged 15 and above with diabetes were unaware of their condition. The underdiagnosis was particularly prominent among young adults, who are at a higher risk of developing long-term complications.
While 91% of diagnosed individuals were receiving some form of pharmacological treatment, only 42% had their blood sugar levels effectively managed. This indicates that only 21% of all diabetes patients globally have their condition optimally controlled.
Despite progress over the past two decades, the study highlighted significant regional disparities in diagnosis and treatment, especially in low- and middle-income nations. For instance, high-income North America exhibited the highest diagnosis rates, while high-income Asia Pacific showed the best treatment rates among diagnosed individuals.
Southern Latin America had the highest rates of optimal blood sugar management among treated patients, whereas Central sub-Saharan Africa faced substantial gaps in diagnosis, with less than 20% of diabetes cases being identified.
Lauryn Stafford, a researcher at IHME and the study’s first author, warned that the world could face a silent epidemic by 2050 if approximately half of individuals with diabetes are unaware of their condition. This underscores the critical need for investments in screening programs for younger populations and improved access to medications and glucose-monitoring tools, especially in underserved regions.
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) established a goal to have 80% of diabetes cases clinically diagnosed by 2030.
More information:
Global, regional, and national cascades of diabetes care, 2000–23: a systematic review and modelling analysis using findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(25)00217-7
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Nearly half of those with diabetes may be unaware they have the disease (2025, September 8)
retrieved 8 September 2025
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