Together, we can make a difference for a better diabetes life (World Diabetes Day, 2024)

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It takes not just one step but the whole community to lessen the chokehold of a global epidemic, bear with support and become sympathetic. As November marks the calendar, World Diabetes Day also makes its way into perspective. Diabetes is a chronic disease that has become prevalent throughout the years in healthcare thus, it has affected many globally. With this, in accordance with the 2021 IDF Diabetes Atlas by the International Diabetes Federation, they presented an approximate of 537 million individuals from which 10.5% belongs to the adult population; projection unveils that by the year 2045 the estimate will increase to 789 million (Janić et al., 2024). Majority of these ample cases occur in low to middle income countries where there is limited access to healthcare. With this in mind, the Philippines for one, struggles with its increasing rates of diagnosis, and as the trend seems to continue, so does the inaccessibility of resources vital to maintaining quality health and living.

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The FEU Medical Technology Society stands to advocate for the inclusivity of healthcare given the accessibility of diagnostics, and awareness in regards with the epidemic. Beyond just statistics, we believe that the trend of diabetes encapsulates a broader health crisis rooted in the systemic remoteness and inequality rather than just the focus of individual neglect. With an attempt to properly address this, it requires not only medical intervention but also a collective social responsibility within our community and awareness through continuous learning and understanding

 

According to Cando et al. (2024), the impact of diabetes has become so large in the Philippines that it has become the country’s fourth leading cause of death. As of 2022, diabetes has taken the lives of 26,744 that is 6.4% of the total deaths actually recorded. Low-income and middle-income countries become a target, this is due to inability to access proper health intervention in correspondence to what their body needs. Given that the Philippines is a lower-middle income country, the Filipinos are no stranger to this crisis. Faced with a healthcare barrier where they are declined access to insulin and diabetes care, its leading reason is with the deficient health financing and constraints from economic depression (Eala et al., 2021). In return, this has resulted to the distress of patients with type 2 diabetes, catering worry  not only on how they are able to recover but if they could given the lack of resources they are presented with. Reporting with anxiety and even depression in regards with self-management, complications and dietary constraints, this ‘diabetes distress’ roots not only from medical burden but social and systemic as to living with diabetes in the Philippines (Francisco et al., 2022). 

Apart from this, the country also suffers from its double nutritional burden. As the Philippines becomes a victim of overconsumption of carbohydrates, it becomes a primary factor of getting type 2 diabetes. (Why Do Filipinos Have High Rates of Diabetes?, n.d.). While, the burden of how likely the metabolic illness may occur associates itself with other complications in the body namely; infections, blood vessel complication, eye problem, liver and kidney damage then finally, foot problems (Brutsaert, 2025). These complications can arise from when type 2 diabetes is not properly managed, increasing the risk for those who are already unable to access proper health care to further worsen the load they carry. 

 

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes covering 90% of the cases globally. Symptoms in type 2 sometimes may go unnoticed and can take years before recognized. Symptoms of diabetes in line with WHO (2024); 

• Feeling very thirsty

• Wanting and needing to urinate often than normal

• Blurry vision

• Tiredness 

• Losing weight unintentionally 

However, without addressing the global disparity present in diabetes care there would be no to little advancement. With this said, awareness can also make an impact given that individuals with higher levels of education tend to have a lesser rate of obesity and diabetes (Sonmez et al., 2022).
 

Addressing the problem of diabetes, the World Health Organization (2024) provides some prevention, diagnosis and treatment, these are:

 

Prevention

• Eat healthy diet and avoid sugar and saturated fat 

• Avoid smoking tobacco

• Stay physically active with at least moderate exercise each week

Diagnosis and Treatment 

• Insulin injections

• Other medicines such as metformin, sulfonylureas, sodium-glucose co-transporters type 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors

 

Constant screening programs, nutrition education, and follow-up management can be fostered with support from various government agencies, healthcare and local organizations.   However, educational engagement is important in understanding and encouraging individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles and practices. Finally, a combination of expert guidance and public involvement is needed to comprehend diabetes. Understanding and working together as a community of future healthcare professionals, we can contribute to a healthier and more educated society.

We encourage everyone to take action against diabetes. Educating yourself and those around you about the risks and symptoms, utilizing accessing  healthcare options, and adopting healthy lifestyle choices, can make significant effects in preventing and managing this disease. 

 

Let this day, World Diabetes Day, be a reminder that all efforts are worthwhile. With empathy, awareness, and collaboration in each of us, we can deliver a future where diabetes is a preventable and manageable disease.

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