Last Updated on 10 years by Publishing Team
Worldwide, diabetes caused 5.1 million deaths in 2013. Every six seconds a person dies from diabetes.
Diabetes is very common in Fiji and the number of people with diabetes is growing. Currently almost 1 in every 3 Fijians is being diagnosed with diabetes, that’s 30% of the population. Type 2 diabetes is more common than Type 1, it is also more easily avoided if the correct healthy lifestyle is adopted.
There are also many people in Fiji living with diabetes who may not even know it because they don’t have the symptoms, it is important to get your blood sugar tested regularly to avoid Diabetes related complications further down the track.
The 2002 STEPS survey identified that out of the 16% diabetics, 50% of them were previously unrecognised which is an alarmingly high number. You can always visit your nearest diabetes hub to get your sugar checked ad learn how to stay in control of your diabetes.
- Diabetes is common in both Itaukei and Fijians of Indian descent
- The 2002 STEPS survey revealed that there is higher incidence of diabetes among Fijians of Indian descent as compared with Itaukei (11.5%)