With nearly 101 million adults in India living with diabetes and another 136 million with prediabetes, millions of people may still be unaware of their condition. Early detection, preventive healthcare and regular health screenings have therefore never been more important.
Diabetes has evolved from being a health concern affecting individuals and their families into an increasingly significant public health and workforce wellbeing challenge, with serious implications for healthcare systems, employers and economies worldwide.
According to the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF) 2025 Diabetes Atlas, approximately 589 million adults aged 20–79 are living with diabetes globally. This figure is projected to reach 853 million by 2050. Even more concerning is the estimate that more than 252 million adults worldwide are unaware that they have the condition.
India faces a particularly significant challenge. The ICMR has reported that the earlier IDF estimate of approximately 89.8 million adults living with diabetes in India has already been surpassed, despite insufficient awareness and testing among the general population. These figures highlight the urgent need to shift the conversation from treating diabetes after diagnosis to prioritising early detection, regular screening and preventive healthcare.
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by elevated blood glucose levels, resulting from the body's inability to produce sufficient insulin or effectively use the insulin it produces. There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body stops producing insulin. It commonly develops in children and young adults, although it can occur at any age, and requires lifelong insulin treatment. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, accounting for more than 90% of diabetes cases. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and increases the mother's risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Of these, Type 2 diabetes is particularly challenging because it develops gradually over several years. In its early stages, symptoms may be mild or entirely absent, meaning individuals can remain unaware of their condition for a prolonged period. This makes awareness of risk factors and timely screening especially important.
Several factors can increase an individual's risk of developing diabetes. Some are modifiable through lifestyle changes, while others are beyond an individual's control. Physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyles, excess body weight, particularly abdominal obesity, unhealthy dietary habits, tobacco consumption and high blood pressure are among the modifiable risk factors. Certain metabolic conditions, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, can also increase the risk.
On the other hand, increasing age, family history, genetic predisposition, a history of gestational diabetes and certain medical conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), are underlying risk factors that need to be considered. Understanding individual risk is particularly important in countries such as India, where diabetes represents a substantial and growing public health challenge.
Although Type 2 diabetes can remain asymptomatic for years, the body may sometimes provide warning signs. These include frequent urination, particularly at night, excessive thirst, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue and blurred vision. Some individuals may also experience tingling or numbness in their hands and feet, slow-healing wounds and frequent infections. However, the absence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that an individual is free from diabetes. This is why regular screening is essential, particularly for people with a family history of diabetes, excess body weight or other associated risk factors.
An important opportunity for early intervention lies in identifying prediabetes. This is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet within the diagnostic range for Type 2 diabetes. It serves as an early warning sign, indicating an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The encouraging news is that progression to Type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented through timely intervention, sustainable lifestyle changes and appropriate medical guidance.
Simple diagnostic assessments, including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and oral glucose tolerance tests, can help healthcare professionals identify diabetes and prediabetes. Individuals should discuss their screening requirements with healthcare providers, particularly if they have additional risk factors or experience symptoms associated with diabetes. Regular health assessments can help identify potential concerns before they develop into more serious complications.
While not all forms of diabetes are preventable, Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed through appropriate lifestyle interventions. Staying physically active is an important starting point, with at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, recommended.
Maintaining a healthy body weight with professional guidance, adopting a balanced diet rich in fibre, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthier fats, and limiting added sugars and highly processed foods can also make a difference. Avoiding tobacco, making informed choices about alcohol consumption and regularly monitoring blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as recommended by a physician are equally important.
Prevention does not require drastic changes overnight. Small, consistent and sustainable improvements can make a meaningful difference to long-term health.
The growing prevalence of diabetes also has important implications for organisations. Busy schedules, sedentary work environments, irregular eating habits and limited opportunities for preventive health assessments can contribute to employees overlooking their health needs. Employers therefore have an important role to play in creating a workplace culture that encourages preventive healthcare and supports employees in making informed health decisions.
Workplace health and wellness programmes can help address this challenge through regular employee health screenings and diabetes risk assessments, awareness sessions on prevention and early detection, nutritional counselling, healthier workplace food choices and physical activity initiatives. Providing access to qualified healthcare professionals and follow-up support for employees identified as being at risk can further strengthen these efforts. For organisations operating across multiple countries, such initiatives should be adapted to local health risks, healthcare access and the needs of diverse employee populations.
Investing in preventive healthcare is not simply an employee benefit. It is an important part of building a healthier, more resilient and productive workforce. Organisations that prioritise employee wellbeing can contribute to a broader culture of health awareness while encouraging individuals to take greater responsibility for their long-term health.
The growing burden of diabetes reinforces the need to move beyond awareness campaigns towards a more proactive approach to healthcare. While Type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented, Type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented through appropriate interventions. For individuals already diagnosed, timely treatment, medication adherence and routine medical care can help reduce the risk of serious complications.
Ultimately, the message is simple: understand your risk, recognise the warning signs, speak to a healthcare professional and get tested when recommended. Early detection starts with one visit, and one proactive step today could make a meaningful difference to your health tomorrow.
The author is the Medical Director of International SOS, one of the world's leading medical and travel security companies.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK
