The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Diabetes Compact (GDC), launched in 2021, aims to address the rising burden of diabetes by hitting five global coverage targets by 2030. These include 80% diagnosis rates and 100% access to affordable insulin for type 1 diabetes. Despite these goals, 40 million people still lack access to life-saving medication, according to reports from the initiative’s fifth-anniversary event.
Why are the 2030 Global Diabetes Targets critical?
The GDC represents the first global operational agenda for diabetes, focusing on clear, measurable outcomes. By 2030, the WHO aims for 80% of people with diabetes to be diagnosed, 80% of those to have good control of glycaemia and blood pressure, and 60% of people aged 40 or older to receive statins. According to the WHO, these targets were requested by Member States via resolution WHA74.4 in 2021. Professor Peter Schwarz, president of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), calls these “brilliant goals” that address the “severe ethical issue” of the estimated 43% of people with diabetes who remain undiagnosed.
How is the global diabetes burden changing?
The number of adults living with diabetes has more than quadrupled since 1990, surpassing 800 million, according to the WHO. Estimates vary; while the WHO places the figure above 830 million for 2022, the IDF estimates 589 million. Professor Schwarz suggests both figures likely underestimate the true scale. The crisis is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries, which house 90% of undiagnosed cases. In the African region, the IDF predicts a 140% increase in cases by 2050, reaching 60 million people, with an undiagnosed rate of 72.6%.
The Global Diabetes Compact was established to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. While that 1921 breakthrough saved countless lives, Dr. Catharina Boehme, officer-in-charge of the WHO South-East Asian region, notes that “science gave us insulin, and more than a century later, we still owe its promise to millions of people.”
What progress has been made in essential medicine access?
The GDC has facilitated the inclusion of insulin analogues and the GLP-1 drug class into the WHO Essential Medicines List (EML). As of May 2026, the WHO has invited manufacturers to submit generic versions of semaglutide and rapid-acting insulin for prequalification. However, the market remains volatile. Dr. Bianca Hemmingsen, the WHO’s technical lead on the project, notes that while the GDC has successfully convened stakeholders, the discontinuation of specific products—such as Sanofi’s Insuman® and Novo Nordisk’s Levemir®—threatens to offset gains in access.
How are regions addressing the “shocking trajectory”?
In South-East Asia, where one in five adults lives with diabetes, the WHO has implemented the SEAHEARTS initiative. This program integrates cardiovascular and diabetes care into primary health systems, enrolling 43.5 million patients across 180,000 facilities. The goal is to reach 100 million patients under protocol-based management by 2030. Dr. Bishwajit Bhowmik, representing a World Diabetes Foundation partner, highlights grassroots efforts in Bangladesh, where religious leaders are being engaged to help reduce the stigma surrounding diabetes and encourage early detection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the five 2030 targets of the Global Diabetes Compact?
The targets are: 80% diagnosis rate, 80% good glycaemic control, 80% good blood pressure control, 60% statin coverage for those over 40, and 100% access to affordable insulin and glucose monitoring for type 1 patients. - Why is the prevalence of type 1 diabetes lower in the Global South?
According to Professor Peter Schwarz, this is largely due to data gaps. He argues that children in these regions are often not being diagnosed and do not survive to adulthood, rather than the condition being less prevalent. - How many people currently lack access to insulin?
Approximately 40 million people globally lack access to life-saving insulin, with costs for the least expensive options ranging from $6 to $20 per vial, according to WHO-related reporting.
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