Taiwan Diabetes Study Shows Mixed Progress Since 2012

Researchers followed diabetes trends throughout Taiwan between 2012 and 2021. They relied on broad national data to measure how the illness evolved. The main aim was to guide future prevention efforts and improve care quality in this well-resourced society.

The study uncovered both positive shifts and lingering challenges. Annual counts of new diabetes cases slipped slightly each year, while death rates also decreased marginally. However, the share of people living with the disease rose by roughly 0.17 percentage points yearly. Controlling blood pressure proved difficult, with only about 36 percent of patients hitting target levels in 2021. Most other complications improved over time, except for kidney-related damage. The difference in life expectancy between those with diabetes and the general population shrank somewhat, yet it stayed large among younger patients.