Originally published October 27 2005
Diabetes is an underestimated global killer
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
China View talks about the impact of Westernization on Asian culture and how tit relates to the worldwide spread of diabetes.
After all, an APEC meeting has been called to focus on bird flu, scientists are fretting over a bird flu vaccine, and Asian bird flu casualties are being cited as early signs of a potential pandemic.
Every year we wince as we hear the forecast HIV/AIDS death toll in Asia being revised upwards, as the disease continues its relentless march of devastation.
Not according to the World Health Organization, which has just released a report claiming chronic diseases, dominated by diabetes, now cause twice as many deaths as infectious diseases - including HIV - maternal and perinatal conditions, and nutritional deficiencies combined.
The report, "Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment" claims this trend will continue.
In the next decade, the number of lives claimed by diabetes around the world is set to grow by a quarter, driven by rising obesity and inactivity.
There is a common misconception that diabetes is not lethal, with deaths often attributed to complications rather than the disease itself.
But diabetes puts people at risk of many other diseases and premature death as it causes damage to many body tissues, and progresses to strokes, heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, susceptibility to serious infections and amputations due to loss of circulation.
With scarce health resources, Asia is ill-prepared to tackle diabetes effectively and is likely to be distracted by more immediate threats such as bird flu, which it is being asked by countries outside the region to address.
There is also a lack of recognition of the crisis, with many governments and public health planners in Asia remaining largely unaware of the future potential consequences of obesity, and diabetes and its serious complications.
Unless this situation is rectified, there will be a huge economic burden on Asia - both from direct healthcare costs and indirect costs from a decline in workplace productivity.
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