Diabetes burden rising, women at greater risk across life, say experts

India is home to more than 100 million people living with diabetes, the second-highest number in the world after China.

With lifestyle-related risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets on the rise, experts warn that the country is facing a growing public health challenge, one that particularly affects women at different stages of life.

Speaking at the Illness to Wellness Awareness Conference on Prevention and Management of Diabetes held in New Delhi ahead of the World Diabetes Day, Dr Ashok Kumar, Director, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital said women’s health must be a focus of India’s diabetes response.

“Gestational diabetes, which can develop during or before pregnancy, poses risks to both mother and child. Diabetic mothers are more likely to experience hypertension and delivery complications, while their children face higher chances of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Awareness and lifestyle intervention are essential during and after pregnancy,” he said.

Rajesh Bhushan, Former Health Secretary, Government of India, and Chairperson of the Governing Council at the Illness to Wellness Foundation, said diabetes had become one of India’s most pressing non-communicable diseases.

“Nearly 90 million adults in India are diabetic. Early detection, screening, and adherence to treatment protocols are essential. Our health system must prioritise systematic screening and preventive care,” he said.

Dr Shuchin Bajaj from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Task Force said diabetes added a heavy economic and social burden. “The growing number of cases reduces productivity, increases healthcare costs, and puts stress on families and the healthcare system. Prevention and management must go hand in hand,” he said.

The conference, organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation, focused on diabetes across life stages and brought together doctors, policymakers and public health experts.

Experts also pointed out that diabetes was no longer limited to urban or affluent populations.

From 33 million diabetics in the 1990s, India’s diabetic population crossed 100 million in 2023, according to a major ICMR study published in The Lancet.