Increasing Access to FASD-Informed Care: Bringing an Adapted Intervention to Mental Health Providers.

Diabetes is largely influenced by lifestyle factors and has increased at an alarming rate across all age groups in India, particularly among younger people, where the prevalence has crossed 10%. India is now often referred to as the “Diabetes Capital of the World” [], accounting for nearly 17% of global diabetes cases. This condition has emerged as a major public health concern, with almost 80 million people currently affected in India, and the number is projected to rise to 135 million by 2045 []. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) refers to a form of hyperglycemia or glucose intolerance that is first identified during pregnancy. It is usually characterized by blood glucose levels that are higher than normal pregnancy thresholds but do not meet the criteria for overt diabetes. GDM is the most common medical complication during pregnancy worldwide and poses risks to both the mother and the fetus []. The global prevalence of GDM remains high. According to the 2021 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, about 14.0% of pregnancies, nearly one in seven, are affected. The burden varies considerably across regions, with the highest prevalence reported in the Middle East and North Africa (27.6%) and South-East Asia (20.8%) []. Overall, diabetes during pregnancy affects around one in six live births, amounting to nearly 21 million cases each year []. In India, the prevalence of GDM is about 22.4%, which means roughly one in four pregnant women is affected. Regional variation is notable: central India reports the highest prevalence at 32.9%, followed by north India at 31.4%, south India at 24.2%, east India at 17.9%, northeast India at 16.6%, and western India at the lowest at 16%. Urban areas show a slightly higher prevalence (24.2%) than rural areas (21.6%), although the difference is small [, ]. In Odisha, GDM prevalence among pregnant women ranges from 9.89% to 15.9%, while one study in Cuttack reported a prevalence of 57.1% among sedentary women. Factors such as rapid urbanization, a shift toward calorie-dense processed foods, low levels of physical activity, and genetic susceptibility may contribute to this pattern. These findings underline the need for targeted screening and lifestyle interventions for high-risk groups across the state [].