Diabetes In Ecuador Essay

In Ecuador, diabetes has increased in incidence from 2005 to 2016, as it has had a 39.1% increase in premature death rates and has become the 9th leading cause of YLL. The disease has increased almost 40% in DALY between 2005 and 2016, putting it as the 8th highest DALY in 2016. This non-communicable disease is becoming concerning to Ecuador’s population, because it is increasing in ranking of the leading cause of death and in DALYs drastically in the past decade (IMHE, 2016b). Diabetes in Ecuador is more prevalent in women aged 30-69 years, and 1,280 deaths were due to diabetes in 2016, causing 4% of total deaths in the country. The prevalence of diabetes has started affecting a larger portion of the population, as it effects almost 10% of the population, compared to a >5% of the

In addition, these risk factors are influenced largely by biological factors, as there is a genetic connection to type II diabetes (Kato, 2013). More risk factors of diabetes in Ecuador; high body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose levels, and high total cholesterol, are related to biological factors (as previously explained), as well as social and physical factors. Nearly 68% of the population of Ecuador is considered to be living in poverty (PAHO, 2008). Poverty and a low-income status is highly correlated to malnutrition and obesity, because often times cheaper food tends to be more accessible and unhealthy. This, in addition to low education levels in Ecuador, explain eating and other lifestyle choices that influence a person’s high fasting blood glucose or cholesterol levels. The benefit of having good quality healthcare in Ecuador is that these common risk factors of diabetes can be avoided, with the proper education and commitment to improving one’s