Diabetes deaths surge in Mumbai, highlighting public health crisis

Mumbai is witnessing a significant rise in diabetes-related deaths, according to a recent report by the Praja Foundation. Between 2014 and 2022, the disease claimed 91,318 lives in the city, with 14,207 deaths reported in 2022 alone, a sharp increase from 2,544 deaths in 2014. The statistics underscore diabetes as a critical public health challenge for Mumbai.

Globally, diabetes affects a large population. A report in The Lancet indicates that over 828 million adults lived with diabetes in 2022, with India accounting for more than 212 million cases, over a quarter of the global burden. Managing the disease often involves medication, such as pills or insulin injections.

Research shows that dietary changes may offer an effective way to manage diabetes. Studies suggest that adopting a whole-food plant-based diet can significantly improve health outcomes for individuals with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. For Type 1 diabetes, patients following a low-fat plant-based diet without calorie or carbohydrate restrictions increased their insulin sensitivity by 127 per cent. Another study on Type 2 diabetes found that patients on this diet showed the potential for disease remission.

Dr Zeeshan Ali, PhD, Research Program Specialist at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), highlighted these findings during a session at DY Patil University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Studies. Addressing over 130 culinary arts students and faculty members, he stated, “The rising diabetes epidemic in Mumbai is not just a statistic, it’s a wake-up call. Doctors, nurses, nutritionists and future chefs should be armed with the knowledge that a whole-food plant-based diet is critical for public health.”

PCRM, a non-profit organisation focused on preventive medicine, is working to raise awareness about managing non-communicable diseases through nutrition and lifestyle interventions.

Mumbai’s escalating diabetes crisis calls for urgent attention. Incorporating plant-based nutrition and specific lifestyle changes could play a crucial role in addressing this epidemic and improving public health outcomes across the city.