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India's Hidden Diabetes Epidemic: 43% Unaware
10 Nov
Summary
- Nearly half of Indian adults with diabetes are undiagnosed.
- Most respondents underestimated their risk despite having risk factors.
- Fear of results and difficulty accessing care are key barriers.
An estimated 38.6 million adults in India are living with undiagnosed diabetes, a stark figure representing 43% of the total diabetic population. A recent survey highlights that many adults at increased risk of type 2 diabetes underestimate their condition and are uncertain about accessing necessary testing services. This diagnostic gap is concerning, especially as World Diabetes Day approaches on November 14.
The research, part of a six-country study, found that while 84% of Indian adults believe a diabetes risk check is valuable, only 14% considered themselves likely to develop type 2 diabetes, despite reporting multiple risk factors. Furthermore, 75% wrongly believed pre-diabetes typically presents with noticeable symptoms. Nearly half of respondents expressed low confidence in arranging a check-up.
Barriers to testing are multifaceted, with fear of results being the most cited reason (35%), followed by a lack of perceived personal risk (25%) and appointment scheduling difficulties (22%). Emotional and practical concerns also play a role, including embarrassment and language barriers. Dr. Banshi Saboo emphasized the need for community campaigns and accessible testing to encourage diagnosis.
India's diagnosis rate stands at 57%, falling short of the WHO's global target of 80% by 2030. Reaching this goal requires approximately 20.7 million additional diagnoses. Diabetes-related healthcare costs in India reached $9.8 billion in 2024, underscoring the financial and health burden of undiagnosed and untreated diabetes.
