By: Katya Surapuraju
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent health conditions faced by Indians, in fact, every 1 in 11 Indians are affected with this condition. This is usually due to physical inactivity and the consumption of a high fat/high sugar diet. This is exactly why diabetes is known to be “a rich man's disease”. However statistics have shown that those with higher awareness about diabetes have a better chance of avoiding it regardless of their economic class.
According to a study, only 43.2% of the Indian population are aware of diabetes. Urban residents had higher awareness rates (58.4%) while rural residents had significantly lower awareness rates (36.8%). Originally, statistics were collected based on one variable, that being the economic class of diabetics which showed that generally better off people had a slightly higher percentage of diabetics compared to the lower economic class of people. However, a new variable, that being education and awareness has shown that those who are more educated and aware of diabetes were able to lead healthier lives. This shows that with better awareness and education, people will have a better chance of evading the disease or leading healthy lives despite being diagnosed with the condition.
700,000 Indians have died due to diabetes and other complications that have been caused due to diabetes. Education on risk factors, complications,proper nutrition management, physical exercise, regular checkups, and screening will go a long way toward improving diabetes control and hence lowering the burden caused by diabetic complications.
References
Deepa, M., Bhansali, A., Anjana, R. M., Pradeepa, R., Joshi, S. R., Joshi, P. P., Dhandhania, V. K., Rao, P. V., Subashini, R., Unnikrishnan, R., Shukla, D. K., Madhu, S. V., Das, A. K., Mohan, V., & Kaur, T. (2014, May). Knowledge and awareness of diabetes in urban and Rural India: The Indian Council of Medical Research India Diabetes Study (Phase I): Indian Council of Medical Research India diabetes 4. Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4056139/
“Diabetes Is No Longer a Rich-world Disease.” Diabetes Is No Longer a Rich-world Disease | the Economist, www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2016/11/14/diabetes-is-no-longer-a-rich-world-disease.
Accessed 26 Jan. 2023.
“Latest Search News.” Latest Search News - the Hindu, www.thehindu.com/search. Accessed 26 Jan. 2023.
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