Diabetes prevalence in Fiji rises to 17 per cent, survey shows

Diabetes Fiji is calling for urgent action after the 2025 Fiji NCD STEPS Survey showed diabetes prevalence has risen to between 16.5 per cent and 17 per cent, up from 14.6 per cent in 2011.

The survey also found that 98.5 per cent of adults aged 18 to 69 have at least one risk factor for a non-communicable disease (NCD), while nearly half are living with three or more risk factors.

Diabetes Fiji executive director Kini Marawa said the findings highlighted the growing scale of Fiji's public health challenge and should serve as a wake-up call for Government, communities and individuals.

"Why is public health continually treated as a secondary priority when 80 per cent of our mortality is driven by NCDs? Healthcare must be the primary priority, not an afterthought," Mr Marawa said.

The survey found that more than 68 per cent of adults are overweight or obese, including 40 per cent who are obese. Women account for around 70 per cent of obesity cases.

Hypertension affects 36.6 per cent of the population, although almost half of those affected were previously unaware they had the condition.

The report also found that 30 per cent of adults smoke, 49 per cent consume alcohol, 56 per cent drink kava and only 21 per cent eat the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables.

Mr Marawa warned that the growing burden of diabetes threatened both lives and Fiji's long-term economic development.

"We must first secure a healthy, resilient population before we can successfully drive economic growth. Without health, all national development stands on fragile ground," he said.