Tackling the diabetes surge in sub-Saharan Africa through novel youth-centric strategies

Over the past few decades, diabetes cases in sub-Saharan Africa have shown a substantial increase. According to a recent Global Burden of Disease Study, published in The Lancet, the age-standardised prevalence of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa rose by 83% between 1990 and 2021, reaching 4248 cases per 100 000 individuals. 1 GBD 2021 Diabetes CollaboratorsGlobal, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet. 2023; 402: 203-234 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (80) Google Scholar Furthermore, projections predict a 57% increase in diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa from 2021 to 2050, reaching a prevalence of 6688 cases per 100 000 individuals. 1 GBD 2021 Diabetes CollaboratorsGlobal, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet. 2023; 402: 203-234 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (80) Google Scholar These statistics depict a worrisome picture of an impending public health crisis that demands immediate attention.