Diabetes Management in Latin America

Diabetes is a global public health issue disproportionally affecting low- and middle-income countries like those in Latin America and the Caribbean. Exclusively focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean, in this chapter, we summarize the epidemiology of diabetes (type 1 and type 2), including prevalence and incidence estimates, temporal trends, and drivers. We also elaborate on the epidemiology of diabetes-related complications, both microvascular and macrovascular. This epidemiological knowledge is relevant to design and implement policies as well as interventions to improve diabetes care in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this line, we summarize and provide key examples of intervention for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of diabetes; similarly, we provide outstanding examples of implementation science projects in Latin America and the Caribbean and discuss know-do-gaps. Treatment is a cornerstone of diabetes management, and we describe evidence about the access to hypoglycaemic medication and medication for cardiovascular prevention. Finally, we elaborate on novel tools (e.g. diagnostic and prognostic scores) as well as future research trends about diabetes in Latin America and the Caribbean.