DIABETES CLAIMS ONE LIFE EVERY SEVEN SECONDS AROUND THE WORLD

According to a report by World Health Organization (WHO), Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of deaths globally claiming more lives annually than from any other cause. CVD is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of early death among people with diabetes—about 65% of people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke.

Studies have revealed that the number of cases of diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate globally and especially in the Middle East. 387 million people have diabetes in the world and more than 37 million people in the MENA Region; by 2035 this will rise to 68 million. In UAE over 800K cases of diabetes were reported in 2014 and this figure will continue to rise unless necessary preventive measures are implemented. - International Diabetes Federation

Diabetes has increasingly become a lifestyle-related disease as it afflicts young and old and almost 90% of people living with type-2 diabetes are overweight or have obesity. Many middle- and low-income countries have more people under the age of 60 with diabetes compared to the world average. Meanwhile, for high-income countries, a growing population over the age of 60 makes up the largest proportion of diabetes prevalence. As the number of patients grows across the globe, there has never been a stronger and more urgent need for novel therapeutic measures in clinical and preclinical evaluation, that arrest the growth of the disease.

To support the UAE’s mission to reduce prevalence of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and other lifestyle diseases, The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine Dubai (A4M Dubai), is organising a three day medical conference where 12 international experts in the field of hypertension, nephrology, internal medicine, and anti-aging medicine will discuss novel approaches to these diseases.

According to Dr Joseph Lamb, Internal Medicine and Holistic Medicine Expert, “We do not wake up on morning with diabetes or coronary artery disease.  For most people, there is an extended phase of their lives during which lifestyle choices influence their future health.  Utilizing the best diagnostics of personalized medicine available now in the UAE and lifestyle interventions will help slow down the rapid growth of these diseases. The solution is to address not just the symptoms but the causes.”

Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol using population-wide strategies. People already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and even those who are at high cardiovascular risk, need early detection and management using counseling and medicines. Raising awareness about this deadly disease will encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles

The Growing Business of Diabetes

The diabetes market, consisting mainly of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, is large and growing significantly. The global market value for diabetes therapies and diagnostics has reached to $48.5 billion.

The largest segment of the market, insulin products, is worth $20.8 billion in the recent times, including administration and diagnostic devices. Monitoring devices and other related equipment, the second-largest market is established with an investment of $13.5 billion in which was proposed for $11.3.

The fastest-growing segment of oral hypoglycemic drugs manufacturing funding is $14.13 in present scenario of diabetes market.