dw.com
Turkey's Diabetes Prevalence: A 67% Surge in Two Decades
Turkey's diabetes prevalence has increased by 67% in 20 years, reaching 16.6% in 2022, nearly double the EU average, prompting calls for improved healthcare policies and public health initiatives.
- What are the primary factors contributing to the rise in diabetes cases in Turkey, according to experts?
- Experts attribute the surge to insufficient food policies, high carbohydrate and sugar consumption, lack of exercise, and a significant number of undiagnosed cases (around 45% according to a 2014 OECD report). The high rate of hospital admissions for uncontrolled diabetes (8.5 times the OECD average) further underscores the problem.
- What is the current state of diabetes prevalence in Turkey and how does it compare to European averages?
- In 2022, Turkey's age-standardized diabetes prevalence was 16.6% (16% in men, 17.1% in women), almost double the EU average of 7-8%. This represents a 67% increase over the past two decades, affecting one in six adults.
- What measures are being proposed to address the rising diabetes prevalence in Turkey, and what are their potential limitations?
- A three-year action plan focuses on promoting healthy eating, regulating school and workplace meals, and increasing physical activity. However, critics argue that without stricter regulations on unhealthy food advertising and production, especially concerning high-fructose corn syrup, these measures may prove insufficient. The need for free school meals for all children is also highlighted as a crucial preventive measure.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the diabetes situation in Turkey, highlighting both the alarming statistics and the government's efforts to address the issue. While it includes criticism of the government's policies, it also presents the government's action plan. The inclusion of multiple expert perspectives (Pala and Şık) contributes to a more nuanced understanding.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. While terms like "alarming" and "negative evolution" are used to describe the situation, these are justifiable given the statistics presented. The article avoids overly emotional or charged language.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including data on successful diabetes prevention and management programs in Turkey, if any exist. Additionally, mentioning the socioeconomic factors contributing to unequal access to healthcare could provide a more comprehensive picture. The long-term effects of the government's action plan are also not discussed. However, given the article's length, these omissions are understandable.
Gender Bias
The article mentions that women and people in low-income regions are disproportionately affected by uncontrolled diabetes. This highlights a gender and socioeconomic bias in access to care and control. However, it doesn't delve deeper into specific gendered aspects of the problem, so further investigation into the reasons for this disparity would improve the analysis.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a significant increase in diabetes prevalence in Turkey, reaching almost double the European average. This directly impacts SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), specifically target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes. The article points to several factors contributing to this rise, including unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and inadequate healthcare policies. The high rate of undiagnosed diabetes and uncontrolled cases further exacerbates the situation, leading to increased hospital admissions and negative health outcomes.