The South and Central American Region encompasses 22 countries and territories, most of which are still developing economically. It is estimated that 16.2 million persons, or 6.0% of the adult population, had diabetes in 2007 (see Table 1). In the next 18 years, the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise dramatically to 32.7 million. 

At a glance

Diabetes and IGT prevalence
Considerable extrapolation was required in this region as 15 countries did not have any epidemiological data from which prevalence estimates could be derived. New studies in Mexico   1   2  were used to extrapolate prevalence estimates for several countries in the region. New studies were also used for Argentina   3 , Brazil   4  and Chile   5 , all of which were of specific regional populations.

South America and Central America have similar age distribution profiles. Currently about 17% of the population is older than 50 years, with this figure likely to increase to 25% by 2025. Thus the region has a markedly younger age distribution than most of North America. The likelihood is that diabetes will become a more major health priority for the region given the decreasing difference in age distribution between this region and North America, and with the continuing momentum for urbanization.