Overview
- India’s diabetes burden has climbed to roughly 90 million adults—about one in nine—with national prevalence around 10–11% per ICMR–INDIAB reporting.
- Clinicians report a marked shift to younger patients, including people in their 20s and teenagers, with cases documented as young as 12.
- Cardiologists warn that persistent high glucose injures the heart; a cited study found 11.5% of people with type 2 diabetes already have moderately to severely reduced heart function without obvious symptoms.
- Hospitals are marking World Diabetes Day with expanded screening and integrated care, including multidisciplinary foot clinics and support for children with type 1 diabetes such as free insulin pumps and protective footwear.
- Experts highlight air pollution and endocrine-disrupting exposures as emerging contributors to rising incidence and poorer glycaemic control, alongside sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, obesity and stress.