CLIMATE CHANGE AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Diabetes is a global epidemic impacting the lives of many people on a daily basis. At present, it is estimated that 422 million people are living with diabetes globally and this number is expected to double by the year 2030. Diabetes currently affects more than 62 million Indians, which is more than 7.1 per cent of the adult population. Nearly one million Indians die due to diabetes every year. According to the Indian Heart Association, India is projected to be home to 109 million individuals with diabetes by 2035. The high incidence is attributed to a combination of genetic susceptibility plus adoption of a high-calorie, low-activity lifestyle by India's growing middle class. Paralleling the epidemic of type 2 diabetes is the phenomena of climate change, which has long been overlooked. The effects of climate change are observable today through variable weather patterns such as long periods of extreme heat, drought, disasters and rising sea levels, to name a few. Together, these global issues are impacting the health and well-being of the world?s most vulnerable populations, especially the health of women, children, the elderly, the poor and those in low socio-economic statuses and those with underlying health conditions.By observing the global impact of climate change on type 2 diabetes and the future changes in this metabolic disorder?s prevalence and incidence that may ensue, researchers may be able to curtail the detrimental effects of the associated comorbid conditions associated with diabetes (such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and the Metabolic Syndrome) amongst the world?s most susceptible individuals.