Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Health Issues; Challenges faced by society due to NCDs;
Why in the News?
On International Diabetes Day (November 14), the Lancet shared a global study showing over 800 million adults have diabetes, and more than half aren’t receiving proper treatment.
What is the controversy over the numbers and the difference in Testing Methodology?
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What are the issues raised in the Lancet study?
- Global Inequalities in Treatment: The study highlighted significant disparities in diabetes treatment access, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where treatment rates are stagnating despite rising diabetes cases. This raises concerns about long-term health complications for untreated individuals.
- Rising Rates of Diabetes: The findings underscore that diabetes rates have increased dramatically, especially Type 2 diabetes, which poses a growing public health challenge. This trend is alarming given that many affected individuals are younger and at risk for severe complications.
- Complications and Healthcare Burden: With a large number of individuals requiring treatment, there is a looming healthcare crisis regarding complications such as kidney failure, heart disease, and vision loss, which could overwhelm healthcare systems.
What steps need to be taken? (Way forward)
- Enhanced Awareness and Education: There is a pressing need for widespread education on diabetes prevention through nutrition and physical activity. Public health campaigns should focus on promoting healthy lifestyles to mitigate risk factors associated with diabetes.
- Policy Changes: Governments must implement policies that restrict unhealthy food options while making healthy foods more affordable. This includes subsidies for nutritious foods and initiatives to create safe spaces for physical activity.
- Targeted Interventions for Vulnerable Populations: Special attention should be directed towards vulnerable groups, particularly women who may be at higher risk post-pregnancy or during menopause. Tailored interventions can help address specific risk factors prevalent in these populations.
- Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure: To effectively manage the rising burden of diabetes, there must be significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, especially in low- and middle-income countries where resources are limited.
- Long-Term Strategic Planning: A comprehensive long-term strategy is essential to combat the growing diabetes epidemic, requiring collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, and communities to ensure sustainable health outcomes.
Mains PYQ:
Q Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain. (UPSC IAS/2018)
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