About Diabetes in Slums
There are many diseases that can harm people around the world, particularly in slums. For those living in substandard conditions, even minor issues can grow into major problems quickly. One disease that goes untreated for those living in slums is diabetes. There are several reasons that this can be a dangerous thing for anyone living in this type of extreme poverty.
One of the problems related to diabetes is that it can cause numbness in the extremities. When a person cannot feel their feet and hands, they may not notice cuts and other abrasions. Because of the dirt and grime found in slums, these wounds can easily become infected. Unless the individual with diabetes notices and is able to clean the wound, it can wind up turning into a much worse problem than most people can even imagine.
The infection can grow and spread through the bloodstream and the wound can turn into a rotten mass of dead flesh if left unattended. In the best-case scenario, the person may be able to have the area removed. However, most living in these conditions are unable to receive even lifesaving medical care such as this. What this means for the diabetic living in slum conditions is that a small cut could threaten their life.
Even if the person attempts to clean the area, the water and other things in their living quarters are likely not clean. This can worsen the injury rather than help it. Though some charities work to make some medical supplies available to the extremely poor individuals in the world, it may not be sufficient for those with medical conditions.
The issue of diabetes in slums is a serious cause for concern. It can be a life-threatening disease if the person goes untreated for long.
According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of diabetes has accelerated the most in urbanized areas of developing countries due to higher risk factors such as lack of physical activity and easy access to fast food.
The threat of diabetes in developing countries is particularly worrying as over a third of those living with diabetes are unaware of their health situation. Late diagnosis and delay in diabetes management can lead to many health complications and a higher rate of morbidity.
People with Diabetes Today
180,000,000
% of diabetics with low income
80
urban slumdwellers
1,000,000,000