World Diabetes Day 2025: Doctors’ Quotes on Prevention and Care

By
The Indian Practitioner
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India continues to bear the global brunt of diabetes, with over 90 million adults affected in 2025 and millions more at risk. World Diabetes Day (WDD), observed annually on 14 November, provides a platform to address the clinical and public health implications of this silent epidemic. The 2025 theme, “Diabetes across life stages,” underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, management and complication mitigation from childhood through older adulthood.

The Imperative of Prevention

While pharmacologic interventions remain critical for those diagnosed, the majority of India’s diabetes burden arises from type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable. Lifestyle interventions including balanced nutrition, physical activity, weight management, stress control and early screening can delay or even prevent disease onset.

Dr. Rashi Agrawal, Endocrinologist at Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai, highlights why prevention must begin early and consistently:
“Nearly 50% of people don’t know they’re diabetic because the disease often progresses silently. Many adults aged 30–65 only seek help after complications like kidney or heart problems, often linked to long-standing, unmanaged diabetes. Low awareness, irregular checkups, and the belief that diabetes affects only older adults delay diagnosis. Watch for symptoms such as increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination (especially at night), unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds or frequent infections. If these persist, get tested even if you feel healthy—simple blood sugar tests can detect diabetes early and prevent serious damage. Regular screening after age 30, or earlier for those with a family history or sedentary lifestyle, is crucial. Managing diabetes isn’t just about medication; it requires a balanced lifestyle. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise at least 30 minutes daily, follow a diet rich in whole grains, fiber, vegetables, and lean proteins, and limit sugar, junk food, and smoking. Manage stress, sleep well, and stay consistent with medical follow-ups and prescribed treatment to avoid complications and protect long-term health.” Her perspective reinforces the fact that preventive strategies extend well beyond medication to include lifestyle correction, regular testing, and timely consultation.

Global and National Frameworks

The WHO Global Diabetes Compact continues to guide international efforts. WHO has endorsed five global coverage targets for diabetes by 2030, including:
• 80% people diagnosed
• 80% achieving glycaemic control
• 80% achieving blood pressure control
• 60% of adults 40+ receiving statins
• 100% of type 1 diabetes patients having access to insulin and monitoring tools

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These serve as benchmarks for countries adopting a life-course approach.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) similarly promotes regional collaboration through its WDD 2025 webinar.

India’s 75/25 Initiative aims to provide standardized care to 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes by December 2025. With over 25 million diabetics receiving treatment by March 2025, it reflects significant progress in universalized care.

Few Hospital-Led Preventive Strategies:

Healthcare institutions across India are actively advancing early detection and public education:

  1. CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad
  • “Know Your Sugar” workplace programs.
  • Healthy Tiffin initiatives in schools.
  • Free community screenings in IT parks, malls, and residential areas.
  1. Arunodaya Deseret Eye Hospital (ADEH), Gurugram
  • “Diabetes & The Eyes” awareness movement.
  • Fundus screening and OPTOS imaging drives.
  • Public lectures on lifestyle and annual retinal exams.
  1. Royal Care Hospitals, Coimbatore
  • Discounted diabetes screening packages including CBC, HbA1c, fasting/post-prandial glucose, lipid profile, creatinine, and optional specialist consultations.
  • Focused on early counseling for prediabetes and high-risk individuals.

Dr. Krishna Reddy Thaduri, Consultant Endocrinologist at KIMS Hospitals, underscores the importance of support systems across all ages with a comprehensive message:
“The theme of this year’s WHO World Diabetes Day, ‘Diabetes across life stages,’ recognizes that every person living with diabetes should have access to integrated care, supportive environments and policies that promote health, dignity and self-management. A 2025 study found the prevalence of young-onset type 2 diabetes in India to be 17.2% in individuals under 40, with a higher prevalence in males (10.6%) than females (6.5%). The prevalence increases with age, being highest in the 36–40-year-old group. The covid pandemic worsened risk factors by increasing sedentary behavior, disrupting sleep, and promoting unhealthy eating habits among young people. On top of genetic predisposition in South Asians, busy lifestyles, not giving priority to health, and increasing young-onset obesity are all predisposing to earlier onset of diabetes in young populations in India. We need to take care of diabetes across life stages. At younger ages we need to screen high-risk populations to catch early; once they are diabetic, we need to focus on preventing complications such as heart attack, stroke, amputation, eye disease, kidney failure, neuropathy. This can be possible only with regular monitoring of dietary habits, exercise, sleep, stress levels, blood investigations, doctor visits, patient support programs, involvement of family members, and shared informed decisions.”

Technological and Educational Innovations

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India has adopted modern tools and educational initiatives such as:

  • MadhuNetr DR-AI (Rajasthan): AI-based retinal screening
    • KiDS Pilot Program (Maharashtra): School-based diabetes and lifestyle training

Dr. Upasana Garg, Regional Technical Chief at Apollo Diagnostics Mumbai, highlights why technologically assisted testing is vital:
“As diabetes cases rise sharply across India, awareness and early screening remain the most powerful tools to fight this silent epidemic. Key tests to detect diabetes include the Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) test, Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS) test, and the HbA1c test reflecting average blood sugar over 2–3 months. Regular testing is recommended, especially for individuals over 30, those with a family history, or anyone showing symptoms like fatigue, excessive thirst, or frequent urination. Detecting diabetes early allows timely treatment, reducing the risk of heart, kidney, gall bladder, liver, and vision problems. Individuals should take charge of their health through regular monitoring, balanced lifestyles, and timely action because knowing your blood sugar levels could make all the difference.”

Lifestyle & Wellness Recommendations

Preventive diabetes strategies emphasize:

  • Balanced diet: Low-glycaemic, high fibre, rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
  • Physical activity: At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly, adaptable across age groups.
  • Stress management: Mindfulness, yoga, counselling.
  • Regular monitoring: Periodic blood glucose and blood pressure checks, especially in high-risk populations.
  • Awareness and education: Community programs, school curricula, and workplace initiatives.

Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Illness to Wellness Foundation, adds a holistic wellness view:
“Diabetes can be delayed, controlled, and even prevented through small, consistent, and conscious choices. Our ancient wellness traditions remind us that prevention is the true foundation of good health. Practices such as Yoga, Surya Namaskar, and Pranayama help improve insulin sensitivity, boost metabolism, reduce stress, and bring mental calm. At Illness to Wellness Foundation, our mission is to create awareness and inspire individuals to take charge of their health through holistic and preventive living.”

Padma Shri Dr. Anoop Misra highlights the need for a broader metabolic lens:
“For too long, our approach has been gluco-centric, focusing only on sugar levels. Diabetes management must look beyond that, to include fat control, cholesterol management, and physical strength. Especially for women, strength training is crucial. Walking alone is not enough; we need cardiorespiratory, resistance, and muscle-strength exercises to maintain balance and prevent long-term complications. Holistic strength translates to better metabolic health.”

Dr. (Prof.) Ashok Kumar emphasizes diabetes in women and pregnancy:
“Gestational diabetes, which can either develop during pregnancy or pre-exist, poses serious health risks to both mother and child. There is a direct relation between blood sugar levels and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Diabetic mothers are more likely to experience hypertension, delivery complications, and long-term cardiovascular risks, while their children face higher chances of developing Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome later in life. Awareness and lifestyle intervention are essential not only during pregnancy but also in the post-partum period.”

Dr. Anuj Maheshwari, President Elect of RSSDI, highlights socio-economic realities:
“Diabetes mirrors our economic and demographic realities. What was once considered a disease of affluence now affects every class of society. From 33 million diabetics in the 1990s, India today has crossed 100 million, a twofold rise in two decades. This is driven by urbanisation, processed food, and physical inactivity. We must bridge the gap in diabetic care, improve access, strengthen policy, promote research, and enhance disease monitoring to ensure equal healthcare for all.”

Implications for Clinical Practice

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These global, national, and institutional initiatives provide a multi-pronged approach to diabetes care:

  • Policy-level benchmarks guide population health strategies (WHO targets, 75/25 Initiative).
  • Community engagement via hospitals, schools, and workplaces ensures access to screening and awareness.
  • Technology and AI allow earlier detection of complications, such as retinopathy, even in remote areas.
  • Affordable, comprehensive screening packages support timely diagnosis and management.

By integrating prevention, screening, lifestyle intervention and complication management across all ages, WDD 2025 reinforces the message that diabetes care is a lifelong journey. For clinicians, healthcare systems, and policymakers, these 2025 initiatives provide practical, scalable, and replicable models to enhance diabetes outcomes across populations.

References

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