1. Honorary Distinguished Professor of Tamil Nadu, Dr. MGR. Medical University Chennai, India; 2. Prof. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, India; 3. Prof. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and associated Hospitals, New Delhi, India, 4. Prof. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, India; 5. SRC Diabetes Centre, Erode, India; 6. Jain Hospital and Research Centre, Kanpur, India, 7. Senior Diabetologist, Chennai
Submitted: 20 December 2025; Accepted: 25 December 2024; Published: 29 December 2024
Corresponding Author: Dr. Veerasamy Seshiah Hony, Distinguished professor of the Tamilnadu Dr. MGR. Medical University Chennai, India. Email: [email protected]
Introduction
The findings from the 11th edition unequivocally demonstrate that diabetes is one of the most pressing global health challenges of the 21st century. By 2024, a staggering 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes. Among them, over 9.5 million had type 1 diabetes, including 1.9 million children and adolescents under the age of 20. Projections show that the total number of people living with diabetes will reach 853 million by 2050. There is a significant and alarming population at high risk of developing diabetes. In 2024, approximately 635 million people were estimated to have impaired glucose tolerance, while 488 million were found to have impaired fasting glucose. Additionally, over 3.4 million people aged 20 to 79 died from diabetes-related causes in 2024. For the first time, direct health expenditures related to diabetes have exceeded $1 trillion, and this figure is expected to continue rising. Furthermore, the IDF Diabetes Atlas 11th edition indicates that hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) affects roughly one in five pregnancies—an alarming statistic in itself. Equally concerning is the fact that 43% of individuals with diabetes remain undiagnosed, predominantly with type 2 diabetes. This stark reality underscores the urgent need to enhance diagnostic capabilities for individuals who are unaware of their condition and to ensure prompt
