Overview
- The international analysis of data from 204 countries shows about 56% of people with diabetes did not know they had the disease in 2023, leaving large numbers undetected.
- Of those who were diagnosed, 91% received some treatment but only about 42% of treated patients achieved satisfactory blood sugar control, meaning roughly 21% of all people with diabetes were diagnosed, treated, and well controlled.
- Researchers link the care shortfall to weak early screening programs, gaps in drug availability, limited lab capacity for HbA1c testing, treatment dropout, and low patient education.
- The study highlights stark inequalities: poorer people, those with less education, rural residents, older adults and women face the worst gaps in diagnosis and control.
- Germany mirrors some national strengths and limits with an estimated 9.1 million people living with type 2 diabetes and about 2 million undiagnosed while most known patients receive medication and regular HbA1c checks.