If your father or grandparents have diabetes, you may have asked yourself whether you will develop it too. The answer is not necessarily. Family history can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, but it does not make the disease inevitable.
Pakistan’s diabetes burden has grown dramatically over the past two decades. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an estimated 33 million adults in Pakistan were living with diabetes in 2021. The country also recorded the world’s highest age-adjusted comparative diabetes prevalence that year, at 30.8 percent. These figures highlight the scale of a public health challenge that requires urgent attention.
Genetic predisposition is one factor, but it is not the whole story. Urbanization, changing diets, physical inactivity, obesity, and limited awareness can all contribute to the growing burden. The cost of diagnosis and treatment, along with gaps in healthcare access, creates further difficulties for patients and their families.
Addressing diabetes requires more than individual lifestyle changes. Public awareness, affordable healthcare, early detection, and government action must work together to reduce the risk and improve the lives of those affected.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which blood sugar levels remain too high. This happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells, where it is used for energy.
When insulin production or its effectiveness is impaired, glucose builds up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar can damage different organs and increase the risk of serious complications.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes develop differently. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leaving the body with little or no insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin, and the pancreas may eventually struggle to produce enough to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is influenced by several factors, including family history, age, body weight, diet, and physical activity. Having a parent or grandparent with the condition can increase a person’s risk, but it does not mean that developing diabetes is unavoidable.
The consequences can be serious. Diabetes is associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, stroke, nerve damage, and eye problems. These complications affect not only patients but also their families and the wider healthcare system.
Pakistan faces additional challenges in preventing and managing the disease. Many people have limited access to regular screening, reliable medical advice, and affordable treatment. The costs of diagnostic tests, insulin, and other medicines can place considerable pressure on low-income households.
Awareness alone is not enough if people cannot afford the care they need. Understanding the risks must be accompanied by accessible screening, appropriate medical support, and practical opportunities to adopt healthier habits.
Prevention, therefore, requires action at individual, community, and government levels. Schools could introduce age-appropriate lessons about diabetes, nutrition, and physical activity. Accessible screening programs could also help identify people who may need further assessment, although screening policies should be guided by healthcare professionals and public health evidence.
Food affordability is another important consideration. Many families make dietary choices according to their budgets rather than their preferences. Making vegetables, fruits, beans, and other nutritious foods more affordable and widely available could help people make healthier choices.
Public awareness campaigns can also encourage healthier habits. Social media, schools, and community organizations can help explain the risk factors, symptoms, and possible complications of diabetes in a language people understand. Such campaigns should offer practical advice rather than simply warning people about the consequences of the disease.
The government also has a role in improving access to essential medicines and strengthening healthcare services. Better data collection and further research could help policymakers understand which communities face the greatest barriers and where prevention efforts are most needed.
Individuals can also take practical steps to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. Regular walking, exercise, and other forms of physical activity can improve overall health. A balanced diet, limiting sugary drinks, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing prolonged inactivity may also help.
People with a family history of diabetes should discuss their risk and appropriate screening with a healthcare professional. They should not assume that they will inevitably develop the condition, nor should they ignore the possibility simply because they feel healthy.
Pakistan’s diabetes crisis cannot be addressed through personal responsibility alone. Families need reliable information, communities need opportunities to make healthier choices, and the healthcare system must provide accessible and affordable support.
Having diabetes in the family may increase the risk, but it does not determine the future. Greater awareness, early detection, healthier environments, and effective public health policies can help reduce the burden of diabetes and improve the quality of life for millions of people in Pakistan.
Miss Habiba is a recent graduate of the International College of Modern Sciences, Pakistan, focusing on public health and social challenges.
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