Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases: Effectiveness of Interventions Aiming at Reducing the Burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The high and rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is a global health problem. Diabetes inflicts 9% of the global population and 12% of the Lebanese population (around half a million people). This disease is responsible for 1.5 million deaths and 89 million DALYs, and inflicts a significant burden on the medical, social, and economic levels. Obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, aging, illiteracy, and poverty are among the leading factors strongly linked to diabetes mellitus. Existing health system arrangements are not sufficiently addressing these underlying factors which leads to increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus. This document synthesizes the evidence on this topic, summarizes effectiveness of interventions at multiple levels and offers insights for action.