Millions in Latin América Undiagnosed with Diabetes as Experts Urge Early Detection
More than 11 million adults across Central and South America live with undiagnosed diabetes, a persistent diagnostic blind spot highlighted by Infobae ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2026.
- The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) projects regional adult diabetes cases to surge from 35.4 million up to 51.5 million by the year 2050.
- Discrepancies in regional data emerge when comparing reports, with broader estimates placing over 40 million adults affected across Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Type 2 diabetes constitutes the majority of cases, while Type 1 affects roughly 797,000 individuals in Central and South America and can be identified in presymptomatic stages through specific autoantibody evaluations.
Varying Regional Estimates Project Millions of Cases
Estimates regarding the scale of the condition vary across published regional assessments. Infobae reported that the IDF places the current adult caseload at 35.4 million across Central and South America, projecting a 46 percent increase to 51.5 million by 2050. In contrast, broader regional figures place the total at more than 40 million adults when including the Caribbean, with approximately half of those cases remaining undiagnosed.
National statistics illustrate the heavy burden carried by specific countries. Mexico accounts for over 14 million adults living with the disease, representing a national prevalence of 17 percent according to the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición.
Diagnostic Challenges in Type 2 Versus Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body fails to properly utilize insulin or produce sufficient quantities to maintain normal blood glucose. Risk factors include excess weight, physical inactivity, advancing age, and family history. Specialists from Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico emphasize regular medical consultations and routine laboratory screenings to identify glucose alterations early.
Type 1 diabetes follows a distinct biological mechanism. Dr. Laura Pomares explained that in Type 1, the evaluation of autoantibodies in selected individuals allows recognition of stages prior to symptoms. Accounting for approximately 797,000 people in Central and South America—including 163,000 children and adolescents under 20—Type 1 can now be identified in presymptomatic stages via specific autoantibody evaluations before acute events like diabetic ketoacidosis occur.
Treatment Gaps and Mortality Rates Across Jurisdictions
Access to therapy does not uniformly guarantee disease management. In Mexico, while nine out of ten diagnosed individuals receive pharmacological treatment, only 33 percent achieve adequate glycemic control. Continuous glucose monitoring sensors such as QiTrax allow observation of glucose variations throughout the day and night.
Mortality rates also show internal geographic variance. Reporting from MILENIO during the Thirty-Fourth National Diabetes Congress highlighted that while diabetes ranks as the second leading cause of death nationwide in Mexico, Nuevo León registers the lowest state mortality rate at 34 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to a national average of approximately 80 per 100,000.
Whether expanded diagnostic access and early autoantibody testing will close the multi-million-person detection gap before the 2050 projections materialize remains an open question.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.