A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in Pakistan

Pakistan has the third-highest rate of type 2 diabetes globally, following China and India, making this a significant public health crisis. Despite the severity of the issue, efforts from health and policy practitioners to address it remain limited. With millions already diagnosed as pre-diabetic, t...

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Main Authors: Fazal Jamil, Umaima Mir, Anum G. Niazi, Shandana Kifayat, Shanlina Kifayat, Sobia Shafiq, Zeeshan Wali, Muhammad Ali Jan Khan, Baber Wali, Khadija Tul Kobra, Muhammad Salar Khan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1514090/full
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author Fazal Jamil
Umaima Mir
Anum G. Niazi
Shandana Kifayat
Shanlina Kifayat
Sobia Shafiq
Zeeshan Wali
Muhammad Ali Jan Khan
Baber Wali
Khadija Tul Kobra
Muhammad Salar Khan
author_facet Fazal Jamil
Umaima Mir
Anum G. Niazi
Shandana Kifayat
Shanlina Kifayat
Sobia Shafiq
Zeeshan Wali
Muhammad Ali Jan Khan
Baber Wali
Khadija Tul Kobra
Muhammad Salar Khan
author_sort Fazal Jamil
collection DOAJ
description Pakistan has the third-highest rate of type 2 diabetes globally, following China and India, making this a significant public health crisis. Despite the severity of the issue, efforts from health and policy practitioners to address it remain limited. With millions already diagnosed as pre-diabetic, the rising incidence of diabetes is rapidly becoming a public health emergency that demands immediate attention. This policy brief provides an accessible overview of diabetes, focusing on its types, mechanisms, and preventive measures. It also identifies key contributing factors, such as dietary habits, obesity, physical inactivity, and the influence of modern dietary trends, while proposing strategies for individuals, communities, and policymakers to combat this growing epidemic in Pakistan. The brief emphasizes the need for a multi-level approach that includes public awareness, education, behavioral and dietary changes, and policy interventions to reverse the trend. Strategies discussed include promoting healthy eating, increasing physical activity, managing obesity, and enhancing access to affordable, healthy food. Additionally, the brief highlights the importance of community and government support, such as public health campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and legislative efforts. By adopting this comprehensive approach, Pakistan can take meaningful steps to address the diabetes epidemic and improve public health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-7d99fa249e884efea077d40ab4a641ae2025-08-20T02:41:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-03-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15140901514090A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in PakistanFazal Jamil0Umaima Mir1Anum G. Niazi2Shandana Kifayat3Shanlina Kifayat4Sobia Shafiq5Zeeshan Wali6Muhammad Ali Jan Khan7Baber Wali8Khadija Tul Kobra9Muhammad Salar Khan10St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, Youngstown, OH, United StatesLady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, PakistanJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United StatesKhyber Teaching Hospital, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, PakistanLady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, PakistanPeshawar Dental College, Peshawar, PakistanAyub Medical College, Abbottabad, PakistanCollege of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Paraplegic Center, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, PakistanCadet College Swat, Gulibagh, Pakistan0Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan1Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United StatesPakistan has the third-highest rate of type 2 diabetes globally, following China and India, making this a significant public health crisis. Despite the severity of the issue, efforts from health and policy practitioners to address it remain limited. With millions already diagnosed as pre-diabetic, the rising incidence of diabetes is rapidly becoming a public health emergency that demands immediate attention. This policy brief provides an accessible overview of diabetes, focusing on its types, mechanisms, and preventive measures. It also identifies key contributing factors, such as dietary habits, obesity, physical inactivity, and the influence of modern dietary trends, while proposing strategies for individuals, communities, and policymakers to combat this growing epidemic in Pakistan. The brief emphasizes the need for a multi-level approach that includes public awareness, education, behavioral and dietary changes, and policy interventions to reverse the trend. Strategies discussed include promoting healthy eating, increasing physical activity, managing obesity, and enhancing access to affordable, healthy food. Additionally, the brief highlights the importance of community and government support, such as public health campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and legislative efforts. By adopting this comprehensive approach, Pakistan can take meaningful steps to address the diabetes epidemic and improve public health outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1514090/fulltype 2 diabetesprevention measures (PM)policy interventionsPakistanobesitypublic awareness
spellingShingle Fazal Jamil
Umaima Mir
Anum G. Niazi
Shandana Kifayat
Shanlina Kifayat
Sobia Shafiq
Zeeshan Wali
Muhammad Ali Jan Khan
Baber Wali
Khadija Tul Kobra
Muhammad Salar Khan
A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in Pakistan
Frontiers in Public Health
type 2 diabetes
prevention measures (PM)
policy interventions
Pakistan
obesity
public awareness
title A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in Pakistan
title_full A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in Pakistan
title_fullStr A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in Pakistan
title_full_unstemmed A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in Pakistan
title_short A multi-level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in Pakistan
title_sort multi level approach to reduce exploding type 2 diabetes in pakistan
topic type 2 diabetes
prevention measures (PM)
policy interventions
Pakistan
obesity
public awareness
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1514090/full
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