Primary Prevention

Primary prevention identifies and protects susceptible individuals from developing diabetes. It therefore has an impact by reducing both the need for diabetes care and the need to treat diabetes-related complications.

While there is yet no conclusive evidence to suggest that type 1 diabetes can be prevented, primary prevention of type 2 diabetes is potentially possible.

Lifestyle changes aimed at weight control and increased physical activity are important objectives in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in children and adults alike. The benefits of reducing body weight and increasing physical activity are not confined to type 2 diabetes; they also play a role in reducing heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.

Secondary Prevention

Secondary prevention involves the early detection and prevention of complications, therefore reducing the need for treatment. Action taken early in the course of diabetes is more beneficial in terms of quality of life and is more cost-effective, especially if this action can prevent hospital stays.

There is now conclusive evidence that good control of blood glucose levels can substantially reduce the risk of developing complications and slow their progression in all types of diabetes. The management of high blood pressure and raised blood lipids (fats) is equally important.

Prevention in Developing Countries

As the developing world is expected to bear the brunt of the escalating epidemic in the future, diabetes prevention is proving especially urgent and difficult in developing countries.

In most developing countries, health policies and services need to put more emphasis on non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, but in many of these countries (as well as in developed ones) decision makers lack awareness of diabetes and the political will to invest in prevention.
The resources required for future research need to be found. Standards in diabetes monitoring and surveillance need to be set in countries where progress has been limited.