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Increasingly, TB’s spread is fueled by rising rates of diabetes—as with HIV, diabetes weakens the immune system, making a person more vulnerable to TB infection and illness—particularly in emerging economies like India and China, which are the source for much of the TB seen in the U.S.
Globally, it is now estimated that 15 percent of people who develop TB are also living with diabetes — equating to over 1 million people worldwide. We appear to be ignoring this trend at our peril. TB and diabetes need to be addressed together — immediately. If not, this problem will grow to epidemic proportions and ultimately claim the lives of millions.
Rising Global Rates of Diabetes
Diabetics have difficulties in processing insulin. This dysfunction weakens their immune system and makes them more susceptible to contracting TB, which is an airborne bacterial infection.
Most people living with a TB infection never develop the full-fledged disease. But a weakened immune response makes it easier for TB bacteria to turn “active,” making it contagious and potentially fatal.
In fact, having diabetes increases a person’s chances of developing the fully fledged TB disease by two to three times. And global diabetes rates are rapidly rising. Over the next three decades, the total number of people with this illness is expected to jump from just under 400 million to nearly 600 million. That rise will fuel TB’s spread.