About Diabetes

The Singapore demographics of Diabetes

Updated On Jan 12, 2022

 

 

Additional concerning figures…

  • In 2010, 1 in 9 Singapore residents aged 18 to 69 years were affected by diabetes
  • Indians and Malays consistently had higher prevalence of diabetes compared to Chinese across the years
  • An estimated 430,000 (or 14% of) Singaporeans aged 18-19 years are also diagnosed with pre-diabetes
  • 1 in 3 individuals with diabetes do not know they have the condition
  • Among those diagnosed with diabetes/aware of their disease, 1 in 3 have poor control of their condition, which increases the risk for serious complications
  • Diabetes was the 4th and 8th most common condition of polyclinic attendances and hospitalization respectively in 2014
  • Life of years lost due to mortality and ill-health related to diabetes was the 4th largest among all diseases in 2010

Diabetes is not a stand-alone issue…

Diabetes can cause complications in many parts of the body causing issues such as kidney failure, leg amputation, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke, vision loss and severe disabilities. Not only that, but Diabetes can also bring about substantial economic loss to people and their families, and cause an economic loss to health systems and national economies as a result of direct medical costs and loss of work and wages. The cost burden from diabetes, including medical expenses and productivity loss, was expected to rise from beyond $940 million in 2014 to $1.8 billion in 2050.

Singapore’s ageing population

As in many countries, Singapore’s population is ageing, and the proportion of individuals aged 60 and above is expected to rise from 13.3% in 2010 to 31.9% in 2050, making it a super-aged country. At a population level, the rapidly ageing population and low mortality rates will increase the proportion of people living with diabetes.

 

Although diabetes is not fatal in the short term, undiagnosed diabetes or poorly controlled diabetes can eventually lead to disabilities and diseases, compromising the quality of life of individuals and their caregivers. It is important that you manage, prevent or detect as soon as you can.

At Diabetes Singapore, we are here to provide you with these services! Click here to find out more about what we offer.

 


References:

https://health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12961-021-00678-1

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjf0Ze45t7xAhVHgUsFHTkDBdEQFjADegQIAhAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nrdo.gov.sg%2Fdocs%2Flibrariesprovider3%2Fdefault-document-library%2Fdiabetes-info-paper-v6.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D0&usg=AOvVaw0TpqBqb7Mj32-qWpvF53MV

https://drc.bmj.com/content/8/1/e000928

https://www.biotechconnection-sg.org/scientific-and-technological-advancements-in-diabetes-management/