Diabetes Prevalence Hits 18.9% in Jammu: Alarming Study Findings

Diabetes has become a significant health concern worldwide, and recent findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) shed light on the alarming situation in Jammu. The ICMR, in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), conducted a comprehensive study known as the ICMR-India Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) national study. This research is particularly important as it marks the first time such detailed data has been collected in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The study reveals that a staggering 18.9% of the population in Jammu is living with diabetes. Additionally, it highlights that 10.8% of the residents are affected by prediabetes, with urban areas showing a prevalence of 13.4% and rural areas at 9.3%. These figures underscore the urgent need for effective measures to combat the rising tide of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region.

One of the most concerning aspects of the study is that 40% of individuals with diabetes remain undiagnosed. This lack of awareness can lead to severe health complications if not addressed promptly. Furthermore, the study indicates that the prevalence of hypertension, generalised obesity, and abdominal obesity in Jammu stands at 27.1%, 41.7%, and 62.7%, respectively. These statistics paint a grim picture of the health landscape in the region.

During the release of this critical data, Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized the significance of the ICMR-INDIAB study. He described it as a landmark research initiative that provides authentic epidemiological data on diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity across various states and union territories of India. The minister stated, "The data obtained through the ICMR INDIAB study in Jammu will help to estimate the health burden due to diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic NCDs, assess the level of diabetes control among individuals with self-reported diabetes, and help in shifting the focus to the prevention and control of diabetes and other NCDs in the union territory of Jammu."

Dr. V Mohan, the National Coordinator and Principal Investigator of the study, noted that the Jammu phase surveyed 1,520 participants from both urban and rural areas. This extensive survey is part of a larger effort that has screened over 1.21 lakh individuals for diabetes and other metabolic disorders across India, making it one of the largest epidemiological studies on diabetes ever conducted globally.

As we reflect on these findings, it is clear that immediate action is required to address the diabetes epidemic in Jammu. Public health initiatives must focus on raising awareness, improving access to healthcare, and promoting healthier lifestyles among the population. By prioritizing prevention and control measures, we can work towards reducing the burden of diabetes and other NCDs, ultimately leading to a healthier future for the residents of Jammu.