Diabetes prevention and control: a strategy for the WHO African region: Report of the Regional Director

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia which requires lifelong treatment. Its prevalence in Africa varies between 1% and 20%. Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form, can be life threatening due to its complications, particularly, cardiovascular diseases. It constitutes a serious public health problem. 2. Diabetes, like other noncommunicable diseases in the Region, receives lower attention than it deserves, despite its social, human and economic costs. Few countries have national programmes and basic facilities that are appropriate for the control of diabetes. 3. The present strategy urges Member States to evaluate the magnitude of diabetes and identify and improve areas of intervention in terms of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention activities.