14% of Adults in Madeira Diagnosed With Diabetes

Expert Says Early Diagnosis Is Key to Reducing Undetected Diabetes Cases

Margarida Ferreira, director of the Endocrinology Service at SESARAM, stated that an estimated 14% of adults aged 20 to 79 in Madeira have diabetes. She highlighted that 30% to 40% of people with the disease may be unaware of it. The comments were made at the XVII Madeira Diabetes Conference and the 1st Satellite Obesity Symposium in Funchal.

Diabetes is a chronic, silent illness, and its prevalence is rising. Early diagnosis can save lives,

Margarida Ferreira, SESARAM, Diário de Notícias Madeira

Diabetes on The Rise: Number of adults (20–79 years) with diabetes in Europe (EUR)

In Europe, around 9.8% of people have diabetes, which is about 66 million people. This number is expected to grow by 10% by 2050. Madeira has a higher rate, with 14% of adults affected.

Lifestyle Factors Responsible for 80% of Type 2 Diabetes Cases

Ferreira emphasized that most type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented. She pointed to aging, sedentary behavior, and poor diet as key factors:

With more exercise and better nutrition, the incidence and prevalence of diabetes decrease. Prevention is possible, but it requires determination and cooperation from schools, families, the food industry, local authorities, and the government

Health Authorities Promote Education Through Regional Conferences and Strategies

The events at the Hotel VidaMar in Funchal aim to raise awareness of diabetes and obesity. Micaela Freitas, regional health secretary, underlined the importance of healthy lifestyles. “Everyone should adopt healthy habits, monitor their diet, and keep regular medical check-ups. These actions help ensure early detection and better management,” she said.

SESARAM Expands Support Teams Beyond Doctors to Tackle Diabetes

Freitas noted that the Endocrinology Service currently has five endocrinologists, supported by nurses, psychologists, and nutritionists. She emphasized the need for a multidisciplinary approach. The region also runs strategies such as the Regional Safe and Healthy Food Strategy, which will be updated using SESARAM data, and a guide for healthy eating for children under one year. Local health centers play a central role in informing residents and promoting preventive measures.

Source: Diário de Notícias Madeira