Diabetes prevalence and healthcare challenges in Mexico and the United States

Diabetes presents significant public health and economic challenges in both Mexico and the United States. In Mexico, approximately 17% of the adult population lives with the disease, but detection and treatment rates vary widely by region. Data from the National Institute of Public Health indicates that Chiapas, Campeche, and Yucatán face the greatest lags in patient detection and treatment. Meanwhile, central, North Pacific, and U.S. border states contain the highest concentration of undiagnosed individuals, accounting for over half of the 4.6 million people living with diabetes unaware of their condition.

In the United States, the patient population exceeds 40 million, with 1.2 million new cases reported annually. Statistics from the American Diabetes Association highlight that 97.6 million young adults are in a prediabetic state. The economic impact is substantial, with medical expenses reaching $412.9 billion in 2023. Within the Hispanic community in the U.S., individuals from Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic represent the highest proportions of affected patients.