Diabetes and Climate: An Ongoing Crisis

Diabetes is a long-term health issue where the body has high blood sugar levels. This happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps control blood sugar. Common signs of diabetes include needing to urinate often, feeling very thirsty, being hungry all the time, feeling tired, having blurry vision, and slow healing of cuts.

#Causes of Diabetes

There are many reasons why someone might get diabetes. Both genetic and lifestyle factors play a role. Things like not exercising enough, eating unhealthy foods, and being overweight can all increase the risk of developing diabetes.

#The Global Diabetes Situation

In the year 2021, around 537 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes around the world. This means about one in ten people in this age group have the condition. Experts believe that by the year 2030, this number will grow to about 643 million and by 2045 it will reach 783 million. Diabetes was responsible for 6.7 million deaths globally in 2021, which is one death every five seconds. The financial burden of diabetes is also very high, with health costs linked to this condition exceeding $966 billion.

Most people with diabetes live in lower-income countries where Healthcare systems may struggle to provide adequate care.

#The Situation in Indonesia

In Indonesia, about 19.5 million adults aged 20 to 79 were living with diabetes in 2021, making it one of the countries with the highest number of diabetes cases. By 2045, this number is expected to grow to 28.6 million. Many people in Indonesia do not get diagnosed until they have serious complications like nerve damage, kidney failure, or vision problems. The cost of treating diabetes in Indonesia is about $1,207.80 per patient each year, which is substantial compared to the average income of about $4,349.50. This highlights the financial strain diabetes can put on individuals and families.

#Temperature and Health

Research shows that weather can influence the risk of diabetes and its complications. Extreme Temperatures, whether hot or cold, can affect how often people with diabetes need to see a doctor. People with diabetes may struggle to regulate their body temperature, making them more likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses. This is especially true for older people.

Keeping aware of how temperature affects diabetes can help reduce healthcare costs. It is vital to focus on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, and to provide education on how to manage diabetes during different weather conditions.

#Indonesia's Climate Challenges

Indonesia has a tropical climate with average temperatures around 25°C to 26°C. Experts predict it will face severe heatwaves in the future, with dangerous conditions expected nearly every day by 2080. With rising global temperatures due to climate change, understanding how extreme weather affects health in tropical regions is crucial.

#Healthcare System in Indonesia

In 2014, Indonesia began a national health insurance program called JKN. This program aims to ensure everyone in the country can access health services. Each member is linked to a primary healthcare facility, which is the first stop for medical needs. Higher-level care requires a referral from the primary facility.

Data from BPJS Health, the agency managing this insurance program, has been used in various research studies, including those related to chronic diseases, dengue fever, and the relationship between temperature and healthcare visits.

#Research Findings on Temperature and Healthcare Visits

A study used BPJS Health data to look at how temperature affects diabetes Patients’ visits to healthcare facilities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The study found that visits were higher on weekdays compared to Sundays, with Mondays seeing the most visits and Fridays the least.

When looking closely at the data, researchers found many instances of low visits during mid-week. This led them to analyze how holidays affected the number of visits as well. They found consistently low visitor numbers on Sundays and holidays, but the overall weekly visits showed similar patterns regardless of those days.

The temperature during the study ranged from 23.8°C to 28.8°C, gradually increasing from January to May before dropping in July and August. The patterns of patient visits matched the temperature trends. Overall, there were more visits to primary care services than to referral services.

#Analyzing the Data

Researchers calculated a correlation between daily patient visits and temperature. For primary care, the correlation was low, suggesting a weak relationship. However, when excluding Sundays and holidays, the correlation was more positive.

When looking at the data weekly, the best correlation occurred with a two-week delay. This means that an increase in temperature could lead to more visits in the following weeks.

Researchers also used a statistical model to examine how temperature impacts the number of visits. Findings indicated that for every 1°C increase in average monthly temperature, the number of visits to primary care was expected to rise by 15%, while for referral care it went up by 14%.

#The Need for Awareness

Research on how heat affects health in tropical countries is limited. People generally feel comfortable in temperatures between 22°C and 27°C, but during the study, temperatures often exceeded these levels, especially for individuals with diabetes, who cannot adjust well to heat, putting them at risk for health issues.

The findings from the study show that when temperatures rise, there is likely an increase in patient visits, especially in the hotter months. Healthcare providers should be prepared for this by increasing staff and resources and creating programs to educate patients on managing diabetes during heat waves.

#Limitations of the Study

While this study focused on data from BPJS Health, it may not reflect the overall situation of diabetes in the country due to limited sampling. Even though there are challenges in understanding the full extent of diabetes, previous studies suggest a clear relationship between rising temperatures and negative health effects for diabetes patients.

Many people might not be aware they have diabetes or may face significant obstacles in getting the help they need. As diabetes cases continue to rise in Yogyakarta, effective strategies are needed to manage this health issue, especially as the population ages.

#Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of paying attention to the links between temperature and diabetes-related healthcare visits. It emphasizes the need for enhanced public health policies and programs to support diabetes patients, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly. By raising awareness and providing resources, healthcare systems can better handle the challenges posed by rising temperatures and prevent adverse health outcomes.