Global Diabetes Initiative:
Combating the Burgeoning Global Diabetes Epidemic
Meredith Hawkins, MD, MS,
Professor of Medicine
Director
Diabetes Prevalence in 2000 vs. 2030
Over 430 million cases
predicted by 2030
Facts of Global Diabetes



90% of new cases of diabetes will occur in
developing countries
Many young individuals in developing countries
have ‘malnutrition diabetes’, which is not
encountered in the developed world
For a person requiring insulin for survival in
sub-Saharan Africa:

life expectancy < 12 months
Source: www.worlddiabetesfoundation.org/composite-35.htm
Malnutrition Modulated Diabetes
Mellitus
 Age: Onset by 10-30 years of age
 Who: rural, poor economic status
 History: Poor nutrition in utero, infancy and/or
childhood
 Body mass Index (BMI) 11-16 kg/m2
 Severity of diabetes: severe (FPG > 250 mg/dL)
Samal, K. C. Ann. NY. Acad. Sci. 958:131-137. 2002
Barnett, AH. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 85:327-31. 1991
Faces of Malnutrition Diabetes
Reduced Fat
Mass
Decreased insulin
secretion
Malnutrition
Diabetes
Fatty Liver
Infectious Diseases and
Inflammation
Global Diabetes Initiative: Approaches to
Combat Malnutrition Diabetes
RESEARCH:
 Pathophysiology
 Feasible, affordable treatments
 Preventative strategies
EDUCATION & AWARENESS:
 Health care professionals
 Community leaders and patients
 Global leaders, funding organizations
DEVELOPMENT:
 Economic, Agricultural, Health Policies
CMC Vellore - Einstein Research
Partnership