A Multi-Level Approach to Reduce Exploding Type 2 Diabetes in Pakistan

Fazal Jamil ^1* Umaima Mir ² Anum G. Niazi ³ Shandana Kifayat ⁴ Shanlina Kifayat ⁵ Sobia Shafiq ⁶ Zeeshan Wali ⁷ Muhammad Ali Jan Khan ⁸ Baber Wali ⁹ Khadija tul Kobra ¹⁰ Muhammad Salar Khan ¹¹

• ¹ Bon Secours Mercy Health, Youngstown, United States
• ² Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• ³ Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
• ⁴ Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• ⁵ Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• ⁶ Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar, Pakistan
• ⁷ Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• ⁸ Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• ⁹ Cadet College Swat, Swat, Pakistan
• ¹⁰ Islamia College University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
• ¹¹ Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, New York, United States

Pakistan ranks third globally in type 2 diabetes prevalence, trailing only China and India. This alarming rate signifies a major public health crisis with limited efforts from health and policy practitioners. With millions already prediabetic, the diabetes surge demands immediate intervention. This policy brief offers a clear overview of diabetes, its types, underlying mechanisms, and prevention strategies. It highlights key contributing factors—including dietary habits, obesity, physical inactivity, and modern dietary trends—while proposing measures for individuals, communities, and policymakers. Emphasizing a multi-level approach, the brief advocates for increased public awareness, education, behavioral changes, and policy interventions to reverse the trend. Strategies include promoting healthy eating, physical activity, obesity management, and better access to nutritious foods, supported by robust public health campaigns and legislative efforts.