SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 November 2025 - According to the World Health Organization, about 630 million people are living with diabetes, a majority of whom are from low-and middle-income countries. Many remain undiagnosed until serious complications appear, including cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and vision loss. On World Diabetes Day, St. George's University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, is urging people in South Korea to prioritize diabetes awareness, routine screening, and prevention.


In South Korea, the International Diabetes Federation reported 5 million diabetes cases among adults in 2024. Among various types of diabetes, type-2 diabetes is the most common type of disease among adults. SGU highlights the importance of understanding the leading risk factors, including:

• - Diet and inactivity: Diets high in processed foods and added sugars, coupled with sedentary routines, drive insulin resistance and weight gain, increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes.
  
• - Family history and stress: A family history of diabetes increases genetic predisposition to impaired insulin production and glucose metabolism, raising genetic susceptibility. Chronic stress can also raise cortisol and disrupt blood sugar control.
  
• - Environment and access: Limited access to healthy food or safe places to exercise, and exposure to pollution can worsen metabolic health.
  

Education is central to tackling diabetes. SGU's global medical education model prepares future physicians to serve diverse underserved communities with strong clinical training, cultural competency, and a commitment to public health impact.

For more information on the programs and tracks available through SGU School of Medicine, visit SGU's website.