The number of patients treated for diabetes in Reunion increased by 3% per year between 2015 and 2019, according to the latest figures from the Regional Health Observatory. In 2019, the island had 79,900 diabetics, or 9% of the total population : a percentage twice as high as the national average. Revealed on the occasion of World Diabetes Day, November 14th, these data prove the scale of the public health problem, which affects women a little more than men and a third of Reunion residents aged 65 and over. “The risk factors favoring the appearance and development of diabetes are very present within the Reunion population., particularly nutritional behaviors far from recommendations”, comments the Regional Health Agency. In cause : overweight and obesity, low consumption of fruits and vegetables and insufficient practice of physical activities. Even if patient monitoring improved in 2019 compared to 2018, particularly in terms of carrying out biological examinations, he is still far from the recommended care pathway. For this reason, there are many cases of complications. Last year, 300 diabetics had to undergo amputation and 70% of dialysis patients in Reunion were diabetic.
