A shocking new global study has found that 44% of people with diabetes are living undiagnosed — completely unaware they have the chronic disease. The problem is even more alarming among young adults, where only 1 in 5 knew they were affected.
The research, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, analyzed data from 204 countries and territories between 2000 and 2023, focusing on individuals aged 15 and over.
“We found that just 56% of people with diabetes know they have the disease,” said Lauryn Stafford, the study’s lead author.
“Most people are only diagnosed once complications appear.”
The Rising Tide of Type 2 Diabetes
Most cases studied were type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body doesn’t use insulin effectively and struggles to control blood sugar. Once considered an adult condition, it’s now increasingly being diagnosed in young people.
“You can live with high blood sugar for years without realizing it,” Stafford explained. “That’s why early detection is so critical.”
A Global Health Emergency
The World Health Organization estimates 830 million people worldwide are living with diabetes, yet more than half aren’t receiving treatment. In the U.S. alone, 38.4 million people (11.6% of the population) had diabetes in 2021 — including 8.7 million adults who didn’t know they had it.
Spotting the Warning Signs
Common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- Intense thirst or hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Numbness in hands or feet
- Fatigue and very dry skin
- Slow-healing wounds or frequent infections
Anyone experiencing these signs should ask their doctor for a simple blood test.
The Bottom Line
Underdiagnosis and poor blood sugar management remain major global challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Early testing and awareness could save millions from dangerous complications.
