Diabetes Epidemic: 800 Million Affected - What UN Says PNG & Developed Countries Must Do.

The United Nations has issued a serious warning. Diabetes now affects more than 800 million adults worldwide - and the number has quadrupled since 1990. According to the UN News report titled *"Global diabetes epidemic reaches critical levels with 800 million cases" (14 November 2024), the World Health Organization says this is an emergency, especially for low and middle-income countries like Papua New Guinea where 90% of untreated cases are located. “We have seen an alarming rise in diabetes over the past three decades, which reflects the increase in obesity, compounded by the impacts of the marketing of unhealthy food, a lack of physical activity and economic hardship,” warned WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156711 What is Diabetes? UN Official Definition The United Nations official page for World Diabetes Day explains: "Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood." Source: https://www.un.org/en/observances/diabetes-day Diabetes Now Affects 1 in 6 Pregnancies In its latest report, the UN said for World Diabetes Day 2024, the theme is "Diabetes across life stages". The UN reported: "Diabetes now affects 1 in 6 pregnancies" and launched its first-ever global guidelines for managing diabetes before, during and after pregnancy. "It is a major cause of heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. Its impact is rising fastest in low and middle-income countries, where access to care and essential medicines is often limited." Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166662 How to Stop It? UN Tells Us to "Make Healthy Choices" In another UN News article "'Make healthy choices' urges UN agency, to prevent and manage chronic diabetes", WHO says: “The percentage of deaths attributable to high blood glucose or diabetes that occurs prior to age 70 is higher in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries,” cited WHO in its Global Report on Diabetes. And the solution from WHO: "Healthy diet, physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay its onset. Additionally, medication, regular screening and treatment for complications are also available." Source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1024991 What PNG and Developed Countries Can Learn From Each Other For PNG: We must return to kaukau, kumu, fish, and daily gardening/walking. Stop too much Coke, white rice, lamb flaps. For Developed Countries: Stop fast food, processed food, sitting 8 hours in office. Same prevention. WHO's 5 targets for 2030 are clear: - 80% of people with diabetes are diagnosed - 80% have good control of blood sugar - 100% of people with type 1 diabetes have access to insulin 83d6 Source: https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/diabetes-across-life-stages-growing-global-challenge Bottom line: Diabetes is preventable. Whether you live in Mount Hagen or Melbourne, the UN says the power is in your hands. Check your blood sugar this week. Walk 30 minutes daily. Choose local fresh food. Stop Diabetes - Starts With You! --- ABOUT AUTHOR: Healthy Living PNG - Providing health education for Papua New Guinea and global community based on WHO and UN guidelines. REFERENCES (UN Websites): 1. https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156711 2. https://www.un.org/en/observances/diabetes-day 3. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166662 4. https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/11/1024991 5. https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/diabetes-across-life-stages-growing-global-challenge 6. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes ---