Diabetes

Healthcare Policy, Economics & Access to Diabetes Care

Healthcare Policy, Economics & Access to Diabetes Care” will explore the critical intersection between public health policy, healthcare financing, and equitable access to diabetes prevention and management services across global and regional healthcare systems. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise worldwide—projected to affect over 640 million people by 2030—the economic, social, and policy implications of the disease are becoming increasingly urgent. Diabetes is not only a major medical condition but also a significant economic burden, both at the individual and societal levels. The global cost of diabetes—including direct medical expenses and indirect costs such as lost productivity, disability, and premature mortality—is estimated to exceed $850 billion annually. These economic pressures are especially challenging for low- and middle-income countries, where healthcare infrastructure is often under-resourced, and out-of-pocket spending dominates access to medications, diagnostics, and chronic care services. A major focus will be placed on healthcare policy frameworks that support comprehensive diabetes prevention and management programs. These include national diabetes action plans, disease registries, essential medicine lists, and policies that integrate diabetes care into broader non-communicable disease (NCD) strategies. The importance of multisectoral collaboration—including urban planning, food regulation, education, and economic development—will also be emphasized as key to creating healthier environments and reducing diabetes risk factors at the population level.