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Type 2 diabetes is skyrocketing in India: there are now upwards of 63 million people with the disease nationwide, compared with 50.8 million in 2010.¹ India’s economic boom has been accompanied by a meteoric increase in the number of people with diabetes – and those at risk for the disease. Prevalence rates are up to 20% in some cities, and recent figures showed surprisingly increased rates in rural areas.

In response, the Indian government has dramatically increased spending on diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, with USD 11.6 billion going to chronic disease over the next five years – a six-fold increase on the previous five years.² The national programme on diabetes is focusing on early years prevention through educational programmes in schools in 100 districts, and a national prevalence study is underway.

1. International Diabeted Federation Diabetes Atlas, 5th edition 2012 update
2. Shetty P. Public health: India's diabetes time bomb. Nature 2012; 485: S14-6