Action4Diabetes: a non‐profit organisation bridging the type 1 diabetes gap in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Global incidence and challenges of type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease that affects millions of people around the world. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports that the global incidence of T1D is estimated to be around 15 cases per 100,000 population per year.1 There has been a global increase in the incidence of T1D over the past few decades, particularly in children under the age of five. The reasons for this increase in incidence are not well understood, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In the UK, around 400,000 people are affected by T1D and life expectancy is reduced in people with T1D.2 Diabetes remains a leading cause of blindness in people of working age, the leading cause of renal failure and second most common cause of lower limb amputation. While the condition can be managed with proper treatment and care, those living in low-middle income countries (LMICs) often lack access to the necessary resources, resulting in poor health outcomes for many living with T1D.1 In LMICs, T1D is often diagnosed late due to limited access to health care services and diagnostic tools. This delay in diagnosis can result in high mortality rates from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Once diagnosed, managing T1D in LMICs can be a challenge. The cost of insulin and other medications can be prohibitively expensive, and many people do not have access to blood glucose monitoring devices, blood glucose strips or other essential diabetes supplies. As a result, many people with T1D in these countries must rely on inadequate treatment options putting their health at risk of lifelong complications such as nerve damage, blindness, and kidney failure.3