Rising rates of diabetes affecting children

India is facing a growing public health crisis - rising rates of diabetes affecting both urban and rural populations, particularly among children. November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, which is an internationally recognised awareness campaign aimed at educating people about diabetes and advocating for better treatment and prevention efforts.
While diabetes has been associated with adults traditionally, an increasing number of children are being diagnosed with type 1 & 2 diabetes and with it comes vision complications. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both serious conditions that occur when the body has too much glucose (sugar) in the blood due to an issue with insulin.
In 2022, about 95,600 children under the age of 14 years in India were reported to have type 1 diabetes according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). With this, India accounts for most of the children with type 1 diabetes in South-East Asia.
This year’s theme 'Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps' reflects on the importance of removing barriers to ensure everyone, regardless of their location or economic status, has the support and resources they need for adequate diabetes management. It means improving access to medication, healthcare facilities, and diabetes education, while also addressing social and cultural challenges that may prevent individuals from receiving care. On the other hand, bridging gaps requires collective action from healthcare providers, policymakers, and the global community to provide affordable, quality care to all.
Addressing the need to adopt a preventive approach at a young age helps in building a secure future and reducing the risk of suffering from serious illnesses in the long run.
Down to Earth is Science and Environment fortnightly published by the Society for Environmental Communication, New Delhi. We publish news and analysis on issues that deal with sustainable development, which we scan through the eyes of science and environment.

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