One in nine Danes will have diabetes in ten years’ time, according to a new report published by the Diabetes Impact Study in the international journal Diabetic Medicine.
Researchers from Syddansk University participated in the study, which shows that about 380,000 Danes currently suffer from diabetes and that number is expected to grow to 650,000 in 2025.
By 2040, diabetes, often called ‘the silent killer’, will affect over 1 million Danes.
An epidemic
Henrik Nedergaard, the executive director of the diabetes association Diabetesforeningen, called the situation “a totally insane epidemic”.
“This is one of the largest studies we have gathered material for,” Nedergaard told BT. “I knew the numbers were going in the wrong direction, but I had not imagined they were this bad.”
The surge in cases will not only affect those struck by the illness – it will put a huge financial burden on the entire country.
Diabetes currently costs Danish society almost 32 billion kroner annually, and those costs will rise as the number of new cases increases.
READ MORE: Danish Research: Diabetes more common among the unemployed
Professor Anders Green from Syddansk University said that part of the problem comes from a late diagnosis of diabetes.
“There are many who are showing complications when the diagnosis is made,” said Green. “The problem can be there without anyone being aware of it, and some of the consequences are harsh, such as heart disease and kidney problems.”
Lifestyle choices
Green said that many people could lessen their risk of contracting diabetes by simply making better lifestyle choices.
“Some may be tired of hearing from ‘health prophets’, but this is reality,” he said, calling for a national action plan to fight diabetes.
“A good framework will set clear goals for the prevention, treatment and tracing of undetected diabetes.”
