Diabetes, a global public health challenge with a high epidemiological and economic burden on health systems in Latin America

Abstract

This manuscript presents the results of an analysis that highlights the challenges of diabetes as a global public health problem. The analysis was conducted in two phases: the first phase deals with primary data and results of a longitudinal study to provide evidence on the Mexican case. Regarding epidemiological changes between 2014 and 2016, there is an increase of 9-13% (p < .001). Comparing the economic burden from epidemiological changes in 2014 versus 2016 (p < .05), there is a 26% increase. The total amount spent on diabetes in 2015 (US dollars) was $ 8,974,662,570. This includes $ 3,981,426,810 in direct costs and $ 4993,235,752 in indirect costs. The second phase emphasises the analysis of diabetes as a major global public health challenge in the Americas. For this purpose a comparative analysis of epidemiological trends was carried out in seven selected Latin American countries (LACs). The results of both phases showed evidence leading to the conclusion that if the risk factors and models of health care remain as they currently are in LACs, there will be a high economic impact to patients' pockets and to health systems, which could lead to financial collapse.

ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2018: The delivery of ambulatory diabetes care to children and adolescents with diabetes

“…Diabetes imposes a large economic burden on the individual, their families, national health systems, and countries. Diabetes is a threat to sustainable global economic and social development …”

“…Diabetes is a threat to sustainable global economic and social development. 18,126 It is of great concern that~80% of all expenditure is associated with treatment of complications from diabetes and only~20% in primary care. In Australia and United Kingdom, similar trends were observed whereby the annual health costs per person with T1D diabetes increased by~400% if a person developed micro−/macrovascular complications.…”

Effects of Vitamin D Status and Supplements on Anthropometric and Biochemical Indices in a Clinical Setting: A Retrospective Study

“…Inadequate vitamin D status, obesity, and chronic noncommunicable disease often cluster [1,3,[5][6][7]. They are important public health issues that contribute significantly to modern healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality [8,9]. Many studies support the proposal that obesity could be driving low serum 25(OH)D concentrations mainly due to decreased bioavailability of vitamin D through sequestration in body fat compartments [4,[10][11][12][13].…”

Having Diabetes in a Middle-Income Country

“…1 The picture in Latin America is similar since the prevalence of diabetes has increased by 9% from 2014 to 2016. 2 In a country like Mexico, where according to the World Bank 3.2 million inhabitants live with less than 1.90 USD a day and 44.4 million struggle to survive with less than 5.50 USD, it can be difficult to change your lifestyle. Diabetes is a multifactorial disease, and even though poverty plays a significant role in its development, other factors such as governmental policies addressing unhealthy food and encouraging early lifestyle changes contribute to the big picture.…”