Although diabetes is increasing in France, now affecting 3.8 million people, there are significant disparities across the country.
- More than 3.8 million people were treated with medication for diabetes in 2023.
- Territorial disparities regarding chronic illness are very marked.
- The overseas departments and regions and Seine Saint Denis are the most affected.
THE latest diabetes monitoring data published by Santé Publique France on November 14, show that this disease is progressing in the country. The authors note, among other things, a significant increase in cases among young people under 20 with type 1 diabetes. Their number increased from 20,300 in 2012 to 31,400 in 2023.
In total, more than 3.8 million people were treated with medication for diabetes (type 1 and type 2) in 2023, or 5.6% of the population. However, the report shows – in addition to the increase in cases – a significant disparity on French territory.
Diabetes: a very high prevalence rate in Overseas France
“Territorial disparities remain very marked with a much higher frequency of diabetes in the overseas departments and regions and in Seine-Saint-Denis”reports Santé Publique France in its press release.
Indeed, Réunion is the department with the highest prevalence rate with 9.72% of the department’s population treated for diabetes in 2023. The Indian Ocean island is followed by Guadeloupe (8.90% ) and Seine-Saint-Denis (8.21%). Next come Guyana (7.90%) and Martinique (7.89%). Furthermore, this top 5 displays a significant gap with the other French departments since Val d’Oise, which is 6th, has one point less than 5e and almost 3 points with the first, with a prevalence rate of 6.88%.
“In contrast, the departments located in the West of France and particularly in Brittany record the lowest frequencies”. Ille-et-Vilaine, which is the department with the lowest prevalence, displays more than 6 points less than Reunion Island (3.49%), followed by Finistère (3.53%), Hautes -Alpes (3.57%), Morbihan (3.62%) and Côtes-d’Armor (3.66%).
Overseas: why are there so many cases of diabetes?
Why is diabetes much more present in the overseas departments and regions (DROM)? François Bourdillon, former director general of Public Health France, put forward several explanations in the editorial of Weekly epidemiological bulletin published on November 14, 2023.
Firstly, the quality of the food placed on the market. Although the Hurel law of 2013 aimed to guarantee that the quantity of added sugars is similar in foods sold in overseas departments and in mainland France, “overseas food products are deliberately sweeter than in France” still today.
The studies also revealed some specificities overseas. “A female predominance, a greater proportion of patients with an unfavorable socio-economic level and a significant proportion of patients without complementary universal health coverage (CMU-C). The discovery in Guyana and Reunion Island of type 2 diabetes in younger people of smaller build raises questions about the possible existence of genetic or epigenetic susceptibility.specifies the expert. The specialist also notes that there is an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods, to the detriment of traditional starchy foods and tubers or even fruits and vegetables.
These different elements could explain, according to him, the strong disparity observed between France and the overseas departments.
