Diabetes mellitus: perspective from the Asia-Pacific region

This article aims to provide an overview of the current situation in the We stern Pacific Region as a prelude to the other articles in this supplement. It emphasises that, while there is much diversity within this huge Region, there is a rising prevalence of diabetes throughout the Region from which few, if any, countries and areas are spared. This is strongly associated wi th the lifestyle changes which follow industralisation, mechanisation and m assive urbanisation; for which evolutionary processes have left us metaboli cally ill-equipped. The current epidemic of diabetes is principally due to rises in Type 2 diabetes, although Type I diabetes prevalence rates are als o rising. The Region already contains more than 30 million people with diab etes and the number is estimated to double by 2025. Diabetes prevalence rat es already exceed 8% in 12 countries and areas within the Region. In the mo re impoverished parts of the Region the majority have little access to care and in all parts of the Region a substantial proportion remain undiagnosed . The increasing emergence of Type 2 diabetes in young adults and children gives particular cause for concern. There is an urgent need for targetted a ction at all levels within the Region. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Lt d. All rights reserved.