The Global Rise of Diabetes – Time to Think Seriously About Environmental Toxicants as Risk Factors for Development of the Disease.
It is now estimated that the number of people living with diabetes worldwide in 2045 will be approximately 783 million, rising much faster than the global population growth of about 20%. In addition to the traditional known host risk factors, it is probably prudent to begin to give serious thought
to exposure to environmental toxicants, either because of mere geographical location or because of human industrial activity, as
possible significant contributors. This knowledge could raise awareness while prompting us to find new ways to protect people and the environment.
In 2004, wild et al estimated that the number of people who would be living with diabetes in 2020 would be 430 million. In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that the worldwide diabetes prevalence in adults (20-79-years) exceeded
that – there were 537 million diabetic people worldwide.
The IDF further estimates that by 2030, 543 million and by 2045, 783 million adults will be living with diabetes. It is becoming clear that the increased global prevalence of the disease may be due to population growth, life-style changes associated with urbanization, physical inactivity, obesity and aging.
Unfortunately, what the current estimates also show is that while the world’s population is expected to increase by 20% by 2045, the prevalence of diabetes would be increasing at more than twice the population growth rate.
Pancreas Open J. 2022; 5(1): 5-8. doi: 10.17140/POJ-5-113
