Healthcare Inequity in Spinal Cord Injury: Out of Pocket and Access Barriers in Paraplegic and Tetraplegic Patients in Iran.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin, leading to disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. As of the most recent estimates from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2021, approximately 537 million adults (20-79 years) worldwide are living with diabetes, which is expected to rise to 783 million by 2045 if current trends continue,. This represents a significant increase from earlier figures and highlights the growing diabetes epidemic globally. The prevalence of diabetes is now estimated at 10.5% of the adult population, underscoring a substantial public health challenge. In addition, the IDF Diabetes Atlas notes that several factors, including urbanization, aging populations, increasing obesity rates, and lifestyle changes influence the rise in diabetes cases. These factors contribute to an increased risk of Type II diabetes and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to prevent and manage the disease effectively. As of the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), diabetes was responsible for approximately 6.7 million deaths in 2021. This translates to around 18,500 deaths each day, emphasizing the significant mortality burden associated with the disease.