Responding to World Diabetes Day November 14, 2025

According to the World Health Organization, more than 540 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes, equivalent to 1 in 10 adults. This number is expected to increase to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045 without strong intervention. More worryingly, about half of those with the disease are undiagnosed, leading to dangerous complications such as kidney failure, blindness, cardiovascular disease, stroke or amputation.

In Vietnam, according to the 2021 National Survey on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors (STEPS) jointly conducted by the Ministry of Health and WHO, the prevalence of diabetes in adults (18–69 years old) is about 7.3%, nearly double that of 2010. In addition, about 63% of people with diabetes have not been detected and 30% of diagnosed patients have not controlled their blood sugar. These figures show that the burden of the disease is increasing rapidly, requiring drastic participation from the whole society.

Not only appearing in the elderly, diabetes is increasingly becoming younger. WHO warns that this trend is directly related to a sedentary lifestyle, a diet high in sugar, fat, and low in vegetables, and the increasingly common state of overweight and obesity. Pregnant women can suffer from gestational diabetes, affecting both mother and baby; children are also at risk due to unscientific eating habits and lack of exercise.

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Health is the agency in charge of diabetes prevention and control, implemented through the Department of Preventive Medicine, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of provinces and cities. Implementing the National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases for the period 2015-2025, the health sector has strengthened communication, organized screening and managed patients in the community.

According to 2024 statistics, there are currently more than 3.8 million Vietnamese people diagnosed with diabetes and millions of others in pre-diabetes. Each year, this disease causes tens of thousands of deaths and costs trillions of VND in treatment costs, mainly due to late detection and severe complications.

The health sector is implementing non-communicable disease management models at commune health stations, helping people easily access screening and regular monitoring. Communication programs are also being promoted with the message “Healthy eating – Regular exercise – Regular health check-ups – Weight control” to reduce risk factors.

Medical experts recommend that diabetes can be completely prevented if each person proactively changes their lifestyle in a healthy direction. Specifically, it is necessary to build a balanced diet, limit foods containing a lot of sugar and refined starch, and increase green vegetables, fresh fruits, fish and whole grains in daily meals. In addition, it is necessary to maintain physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day and 5 days a week to help the body consume energy, stabilize blood sugar and control weight. Avoiding overweight and obesity plays an important role in preventing the risk of disease. People also need to give up smoking, limit alcohol, get enough sleep and keep a comfortable spirit to reduce stress. In particular, regular health check-ups are extremely necessary, especially for people at high risk such as those who are overweight, sedentary or have a family history of diabetes. These are simple but effective measures in protecting health and preventing this increasingly common disease.

Diabetes is a chronic disease but can be completely controlled if detected early and treated properly. Each person should start with small actions - changing diet, increasing physical activity, regular health check-ups - to protect themselves, their families and the community.

Source: https://soyte.camau.gov.vn/bai-khoa-hoc-chinh-tri-va-xa-hoi/huong-ung-ngay-the-gioi-phong-chong-dai-thao-duong-14-11-2025-291055