Juan Antonio lives in Murcia, Spain, with his wife and their five-year-old son, Martín. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D) during the COVID-19 pandemic, just before his 40th birthday—a relatively early age for a T2D diagnosis, although this is becoming increasingly common. Juan Antonio’s discovery was almost by chance; curious about his own health, he checked his blood glucose using his father’s meter (Juan was diagnosed with T2D 18 years ago). This seemingly small, spontaneous action likely altered Juan Antonio’s life path, potentially helping him avoid more severe complications often seen in undiagnosed cases.
Today, nearly one-third of diabetes cases across Europe go undiagnosed. Early diagnosis can not only prevent or delay life-altering complications but also alleviate the burden on healthcare systems. People living with diabetes (PwD) face a high risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy to name a few. They are also two to three times more likely than those without diabetes to experience depression.
Juan Antonio’s diagnosis should perhaps not have been a surprise as it is well known that genetic predisposition plays a key role, alongside exposure to environmental stressors and the presence of some modifiable risk factors. However, research is still needed to fully understand what triggers both type 1 and type 2 diabetes—and how treatment and support can be more personalised.
Research is still needed to fully understand what triggers both type 1 and type 2 diabetes—and how treatment and support can be more personalised
This research is even more significant to Juan Antonio and his family, as his son, Martín, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) three years ago. As Juan Antonio grappled with the demands of managing a young child’s T1D around the clock, he found himself facing anxiety, guilt and stress, which led him to seek psychological support. He needed to accept that blood glucose fluctuations, especially in young children, are challenging to manage and not within his full control. Soon, Martín will receive an insulin pump connected to a continuous glucose monitor, which should help ease the daily management burden. Yet, with school transitions on the horizon, Juan Antonio has new concerns: how Martín’s needs will be managed, especially since his new school might lack the supportive environment he had in preschool.
Martín’s diagnosis also changed how Juan Antonio saw his own and his father’s diabetes care. Juan’s T2D had progressed over time, eventually requiring insulin therapy. However, like many people with T2D, he received little support beyond medication. The lifestyle changes often needed to manage blood glucose can seem overwhelming and unattainable without ongoing support and resources. Juan Antonio’s experience underscores the gaps in diabetes care and support that affect so many families.
Diabetes can touch anyone at any point in life, bringing with it a risk of various other chronic diseases. Addressing these requires early access to the right, person-centred treatments and support. Yet, unmet needs persist, and inequalities in care and support remain across the EU.
We have the knowledge to make a difference. To mark World Diabetes Day, we urge policymakers to act now, so that people like Juan Antonio, Martín and Juan—and the other 32 million PwD in the EU—can live healthier, fuller lives with the support they need to achieve the best possible outcomes.