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Health experts have underscored that reducing air pollution levels in India could play a pivotal role in curbing the escalating burden of diabetes in the country. With India already recognized as the “diabetes capital of the world,” the latest insights suggest a pressing need to address this environmental health concern.
According to experts, approximately one-tenth of India’s population is affected by diabetes, amounting to a staggering 101 million diabetics and an additional 136 million individuals classified as pre-diabetic. Alarmingly, the prevalence of this chronic condition is anticipated to surge further, particularly among young adults.
Traditionally associated with respiratory ailments, recent research has elucidated the substantial role of air pollution in precipitating diabetes onset in India. The Lancet’s latest study revealed that a significant proportion—20 percent—of global Type 2 diabetes cases can be attributed to chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less (PM2.5).
Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Chairman of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Max HealthCare, highlighted the profound impact of PM 2.5 on diabetes risk, emphasizing that even brief exposure can escalate the likelihood of insulin resistance and diabetes development. Prolonged exposure, he cautioned, could elevate the risk by up to 20 percent.
India’s air pollution levels rank among the highest globally, with the nation securing the unenviable position of the third-most polluted country in 2023, trailing only Bangladesh and Pakistan. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a maximum permissible level of five micrograms per cubic meter of PM 2.5, a stark contrast to India’s average of 50 micrograms per cubic meter, which often surges higher in urban centers.
Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, emphasized the link between air pollution and diabetes, citing a study involving over 12,000 adults from Delhi and Chennai. The findings revealed a direct correlation between increased PM2.5 exposure and elevated fasting sugar levels and HbA1c—a crucial marker for glucose control.
Experts stress that mitigating air pollution is among the most crucial modifiable risk factors for preventing new diabetes cases. PM 2.5 particles infiltrate the bloodstream, inducing insulin resistance and potentially causing inflammation in the pancreas, leading to diminished insulin secretion.
Dr. Anoop Misra, Chairman and Director of Diabetes and Endocrinology at Fortis C-Doc Hospital, called for concerted efforts to combat air pollution through cleaner energy initiatives, stringent pollution regulations, and the promotion of green spaces in urban areas. He emphasized the importance of public education and collaborative action among government, businesses, and communities to tackle this pressing health challenge.
As India grapples with the dual burden of diabetes and air pollution, urgent measures to improve air quality could offer a lifeline in stemming the diabetes epidemic and safeguarding public health nationwide.
