Geoenvironmental Diabetology

Abstract

Abbreviations: (HbA1c) hemoglobin A1c, (NGO) nongovernmental organizationKeywords: air pollution, cold, diabetes, environment, heat, natural disasters AbstractMany reports have documented the negative health consequences that environmental stressors can have on patients with diabetes. Studies examining the interaction between the environment and a patient with diabetes can be unified under a single discipline termed "geoenvironmental diabetology." Geoenvironmental diabetology is defined more specifically as the study of how geophysical phenomena impact a patient with diabetes, to include effects on metabolic control, ancillary equipment (e.g., glucometers and insulin pumps), medications, supplies, access to care, and influences on the adaptive strategies employed by patients to care for their diabetes under extreme circumstances. Geological events such as natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes) or extreme weather (e.g., heat waves) are examples of stressors that can affect patients with diabetes and that can be included under the heading of geoenvironmental diabetology. As proposed here, geoenvironmental diabetology refers to how events in the physical world affect those with diagnosed diabetes, rather than how environmental factors might trigger development of disease. As the global prevalence of diabetes continues to increase, including in parts of the world that are especially vulnerable to disasters and climate change, further discussion is warranted on how to best prepare for management of diabetes under conditions of extreme geological and weather events and a changing climate. An overview is presented of various studies that have detailed how geoenvironmental phenomena can adversely affect patients with diabetes and concludes with a discussion of requirements for developing strategies for geoenvironmental diabetes management.

Exploring the Experiences of West African Immigrants Living with Type 2 Diabetes in the UK

“…The complex interplay of factors has been reported to affect the level of physical activity amongst black and ethnic minorities in the UK [41]. The effect of changing environment due to migration was highlighted as influential in T2DM management process [42,43].…”

Sociodemographic patterning of long-term diabetes mellitus control following Japan's 3.11 triple disaster: a retrospective cohort study

“…These results are consistent with previous studies which have found increased HbA1c levels of patients with diabetes following natural disasters. 18 19 …”

“…Disasters are a phenomenon that may result in large-scale health impacts, including the worsened glycaemic control of patients with diabetes 18 19 and increased incidence of diabetes-related mortality for months postdisaster. 20 21 On 11 March 2011, Japan was hit by an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, referred to as the 3.11 triple disaster.…”

Diabetes and ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’: safely attending an amusement park and riding roller coasters

“…The outside temperature can also adversely affect people living with diabetes, with higher numbers of emergency department visits, hospitalisations and mortality during hot weather . In real life, people often store their medicines in areas exposed to extreme temperatures such as in a motor car during the summer.…”