Type 2 diabetes prevalence and risk factors rise globally

New research and epidemiological forecasts highlight the growing global burden of type 2 diabetes and its associated comorbidities. A report by GlobalData predicts that diagnosed prevalent cases in seven major markets will grow from 54.5 million in 2025 to 61.2 million by 2035. The United States is expected to have the highest number of cases, reaching nearly 29.6 million by 2035, followed by the EU and Japan.

Factors such as aging populations, sedentary lifestyles, and high BMI are driving this increase. Hypertension has emerged as the most prevalent diagnosed comorbidity among patients. High prevalence rates in the US and Germany are attributed to obesity and lifestyle factors, including diets high in processed foods.

In a separate observational study involving over 400,000 participants from the UK Biobank, researchers identified a link between access to green space and reduced diabetes risk. The study found that individuals with substantial private gardens within 100 meters of their homes were 6.8 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, while those with four or more neighborhood parks saw a 5.7 percent reduction in risk.