Scale of diabetes problem in Asia alarming

Whilst avian flu has recently caused a global stir of alarming headlines and widespread concer, another disease is quietly sweeping Asia. Although not acute, like avian flu, the incidence of diabetes in Asia is becoming somewhat alarming.
A recent alert by the International Diabetes Institute forecasted problems for countries with upward-spiralling populations, such as India and China. The problem, according to Paul Zimmet of IDI, is a lack of health care resources.
Although current figures indicate that on a percentage-to-population basis, Asia has less diabetics than American, the economic and lifestyle changes forecast in Asia could swiftly alter this situation. Figures from the American Diabetes association indicate that Asia has 194 million diabetics, with 33 million in India and 23 million in China.
The danger lies in the increased prevalence of Western lifestyles and diets. Eating unhealthily and not taking exercise could see Asia’s diabetic population skyrocket over coming years.
The salvation of both India and China’s diabetic populations could lie in their rapidly growing pharmaceutical industries. As the scale of the problem becomes apparent, it is thought that more and more attention will go into attempting to treat diabetes. These blossoming industries are in a position to provide new, low-cost drugs to the region’s diabetic population.