With an age-adjusted (20-79) comparative prevalence of 17.1% , Belize has the highest prevalence of diabetes in North America and the Caribbean. (1)pg74

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• In 2017 Diabetes accounted for 20% of all healthcare dollars spent in Belize. (1)pg74

• 9% of mortality in Belize for the year 2016 were due to diabetes. (2)

• The Corozal District has the third highest incidence of the disease in Belize. (3) 

• Among 40-year-olds, diabetes begins to feature as a cause of hospitalization, becoming the leading cause of hospitalization among 50-year-olds. (4)

• The leading cause of death in persons 50 - 59 years old is diabetes , followed by diseases of the digestive system and of the urinary system, and hypertensive diseases. (4)

• The major causes of morbidity among persons 60 years and older is diabetes, diseases of the pulmonary circulation and other forms of heart diseases, hypertensive diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and acute respiratory Disease. (4)

• As many as one-third to one-half of type 2 diabetes cases in the population may be undiagnosed because they may remain without symptoms for many years. When unrecognized for a prolonged time period, the complications of chronic Hyperglycaemia may develop. (1)

• Patients with type 2 diabetes are often first diagnosed with this condition when they present with a complication due to hyperglycaemia such as a foot ulcer, change in vision, renal failure or infection. (5)

• While diabetes and its complications are largely preventable, lack of access to quality health care services and lack of knowledge of preventive measures are widespread. (5)

• There’s a high level of medical illiteracy.