Diabetes isn’t just a personal health problem; it’s part of a huge global health challenge. When doctors look at Type 2 diabetes, they often see it connected to other conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight gain around the middle—a group of problems called Metabolic Syndrome.
Chronic Conditions Are Common
About 44% of adults (nearly half!) have at least one common chronic condition. These are long-lasting illnesses that can often be prevented.
These preventable conditions include:
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Some Cancers
- Heart Disease
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
The transcript points out that all of these illnesses fall under an even bigger category called Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The NCD Mega-Storm
NCDs are illnesses that are not spread from person to person (like a flu or COVID-19). They are responsible for a huge number of deaths worldwide. Experts say that about two-thirds of NCDs are linked to five common behaviors and risks:
- Tobacco Use (smoking and vaping)
- Harmful Use of Alcohol
- Unhealthy Diets
- Physical Inactivity
- Air Pollution
By putting these chronic illnesses at the top of the global health agenda, we can move from simply treating symptoms to creating a healthier environment for everyone.
About the author
Diana Sherifali
Diana is a nursing professor at McMaster University and has presented and led many educational, advocacy and research initiatives in Canada and globally. Her research focuses on the development and evaluation of self-management strategies to support people living with or impacted by diabetes.
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