Health · Medical Research · 3 hrs ago
Most at-risk Brazilians underestimate their chance of developing diabetes
An online survey found that only 23% of at-risk Brazilians thought they might develop diabetes.
The survey included 352 people in Brazil and 2,411 across six countries; participants had risk factors but no diabetes diagnosis, and the samples do not represent each country's population.
Nearly all Brazilian respondents had at least two known risk factors, such as excess weight, inactivity or a family history, and 93% said screening can be worthwhile even for people who feel healthy.
The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 16.6 million adults in Brazil have diabetes, including 5.3 million who do not know they have it.
Many respondents also misunderstood early disease: 66% believed prediabetes usually causes noticeable symptoms, though it can have none.
Forty-two percent were unsure how to arrange an assessment, while difficulty getting care, cost and fear of the result were reported as barriers.
A diabetes specialist said prevention campaigns need to explain that the disease may develop without clear symptoms.
A survey found that only 23% of Brazilian respondents with risk factors for type 2 diabetes thought they might develop the disease.
At the same time, 93% said assessing diabetes risk was worthwhile even for people who feel healthy.
The online survey covered 352 people in Brazil and 2,411 people across six countries; its samples do not represent each country’s population.
Two-thirds of Brazilian respondents wrongly believed prediabetes usually causes noticeable symptoms.
Difficulty getting an appointment or care was the most commonly reported barrier in Brazil, cited by 28%.
- Who
- The International Diabetes Federation surveyed 2,411 people aged 25 to 64 with risk factors for diabetes and no diagnosis; 352 were in Brazil.
- What
- The survey found that only 23% of Brazilian respondents thought they might develop type 2 diabetes.
- When
- It was released on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
- Where
- The online survey covered Brazil, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United States and India.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Brazilian respondents
- 352
- Brazilian respondents who thought they might develop diabetes
- 23%
- Brazilian respondents who said risk assessment was worthwhile
- 93%
- Brazilian respondents citing difficulty getting care
- 28%
- Survey countries
- Brazil, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United States and India
1 source
What people are saying
Diabetes is a silent disease, which is why it is treacherous
We need to explain more that diabetes does not come with a procession of symptoms
There is, indeed, difficulty accessing care, which we cannot rule out. But I believe it is also very much a lack of awareness