Key Takeaways
- About 44% of people with diabetes worldwide are undiagnosed
- Younger adults have the lowest awareness, with fewer than 1 in 5 knowing they have the disease
- 91% of diagnosed people receive treatment, but fewer than half achieve good blood sugar control
- Globally, only about 1 in 5 people with diabetes manage it very well
- If current trends continue, 1.3 billion people could be living with diabetes by 2050
- The warning signs of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurry vision, slow-healing wounds, and frequent infections.
A major new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has revealed that nearly half of the people worldwide who have diabetes do not know it.
Researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) found that undiagnosed diabetes is a widespread problem, with large differences between age groups and countries.
The findings matter because diabetes is a serious condition that can harm many parts of the body over time. Without diagnosis, people cannot take steps to control their blood sugar or receive treatment that might reduce complications.
What Was Studied
The research examined the global burden of diabetes and how many people are aware of their condition. The study looked at adults aged 15 and older.
The study found that 44% of adults with diabetes do not know they have it. This means almost half of people worldwide are living with the disease without a diagnosis.
Awareness is lowest among younger people. According to the findings, only about 20% of young adults with diabetes know they have the disease. Older adults have higher diagnosis rates.
Among people who are diagnosed with diabetes:
- 91% receive some form of medication or treatment
- 42% of those treated keep their blood sugar under good control
When combining both diagnosed and undiagnosed groups, only 21% of all people with diabetes worldwide are managing their condition very well.
Regional differences
High-income countries tend to have higher awareness and better treatment results. In contrast, regions such as Central sub-Saharan Africa show very low diagnosis rates. In some areas, fewer than 20% of people with diabetes know they have it.
Future Outlook
If current trends continue, the study projects that 1.3 billion people worldwide will be living with diabetes by 2050.
With almost half currently undiagnosed, this could place a very large burden on healthcare systems and societies in the coming decades.
Why This Matters
The study shows that diabetes is often a “silent” condition. People may not notice symptoms early on, or they may not be tested until complications appear.
Without knowing they have the disease, millions are missing out on treatment and monitoring that could help them manage it better.
Recognize These Common Warning Signs of Diabetes
Diabetes often develops gradually, and symptoms can be easy to overlook. Common warning signs include:
- Feeling unusually thirsty
- Needing to urinate more often than normal
- Unexplained tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing cuts or frequent infections
Because many of these symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other issues, testing is often the only way to know for sure.
Prevention and Early Action
While some risk factors for diabetes (like age and family history) cannot be changed, there are everyday steps that lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or help manage the condition if it is diagnosed:
- Eating balanced meals with fewer ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks
- Staying physically active most days of the week
- Maintaining a healthy weight when possible
- Getting regular health check-ups and blood sugar tests, especially if diabetes runs in the family
Even small changes, like walking more or replacing soda with water, can make a meaningful difference over time.
