Understanding the Global Diabetes Crisis
Diabetes has become a silent epidemic, affecting young people and causing severe complications such as kidney failure or amputations. Despite this, many patients lack access to treatment. According to international organizations, over 828 million adults worldwide live with diabetes, a figure that has quadrupled since 1990.
In the Region of the Americas, approximately 112 million people have the disease, but around 40% are unaware of their condition, increasing the risk of severe complications.
Mexico: High Risk, Low Control
In Mexico, diabetes remains among the leading causes of death and disability. Data from the Hospital Epidemiological Surveillance System shows that by the third quarter of 2025, there were 34,466 hospitalizations due to type 2 diabetes, primarily in Tabasco, Jalisco, and Puebla. More than half of the patients are women, with the highest-affected group being those aged 55 to 64.
The situation worsens with associated conditions: 58% of patients also have hypertension, 14% live with obesity, and another 14% have chronic kidney disease. Additionally, 33% reported some form of disability related to diabetes, mainly visual impairment.
Despite being a preventable or manageable condition in many cases, only 15% of hospitalized patients reported daily physical activity, and over 5,000 hospitalized patients acknowledged alcohol consumption, factors that complicate control.
Severe Complications of Uncontrolled Diabetes
Uncontrolled diabetes can cause damage to vital organs. It is one of the leading causes of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, amputations, and stroke.
In Mexico, the primary reasons for hospitalization related to this disease are infections and diabetic foot, while deaths occur most frequently due to infections, ketoacidosis, or cardiovascular complications.
Prevention: The Unmet Challenge
Although type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 can often be avoided with healthy habits: balanced diet, physical activity, maintaining an appropriate weight, and avoiding tobacco use. For example, quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing diabetes by 30% to 40%.
However, one of the main barriers remains access to medical care and medications. In America, only 58 out of 100 people with diabetes receive treatment, and about half of those requiring insulin do not obtain it due to unavailability or high cost.
Early Action and Equitable Access
Organizations like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emphasize strengthening health systems, ensuring access to diagnosis, insulin, medications, and self-care education. They stress that early action saves lives and prevents costly complications for families and health systems.
The challenge is greater among children, adolescents, and young adults, sectors where obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition are on the rise. In the region, nearly one in five children has obesity, while 81% of adolescents do not engage in sufficient physical activity, placing them at risk of developing type 2 diabetes at younger ages.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is World Diabetes Day? Celebrated annually on November 14, it aims to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes on public health and emphasize the urgency of prevention, timely diagnosis, and treatment.
- How widespread is the diabetes problem? Over 828 million adults live with diabetes globally, a figure that has quadrupled since 1990. In the Americas, around 112 million people have diabetes, but nearly 40% are unaware of their condition.
- What is the situation in Mexico? Diabetes remains a leading cause of death and disability in Mexico. In 2025, there were over 34,000 hospitalizations due to type 2 diabetes, primarily in Tabasco, Jalisco, and Puebla. More than half of the patients are women aged 55 to 64.
- What are the complications of uncontrolled diabetes? Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to severe complications, including blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, amputations, and stroke.
- How can diabetes be prevented? Although type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 can often be avoided through healthy habits like balanced diet, physical activity, maintaining an appropriate weight, and avoiding tobacco use.
- What challenges remain in diabetes management? Access to medical care and medications remains a significant barrier. Only 58 out of 100 people with diabetes in America receive treatment, and about half of those requiring insulin do not obtain it.
- Why is early action crucial? Early detection and management of diabetes can save lives and prevent costly complications for families and health systems.
