Worrying number of people in Singapore unaware they are pre-diabetic or diabetic

A recent survey found that nearly 40 per cent of respondents in Singapore have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Pre-diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes, serving as a crucial early warning[1].

Without lifestyle changes, at least 35 per cent of persons with pre-diabetes in Singapore will progress to T2D over eight years. In the survey, respondents with pre-diabetes were significantly older, more likely to be male, and had higher body mass index (BMI) than those without diabetes.

These were the findings from a partnership study between IPUR and Diabetes Singapore which were published in the “Diabetes Perception” report that was launched on 2 November at a community outreach event held in the Lifelong Learning Institute.

The survey was carried out at different health screening events between June and October 2024 which saw almost 1,000 participants responding to the survey. It sought to, among other objectives, understand public perceptions and assess awareness levels of diabetes in Singapore, as well as to engage healthcare providers, policymakers, individuals with diabetes and the wider community in dialogue on improving diabetes care and management.

Many individuals unaware of their diabetes status

When asked if they had diabetes, almost half of the respondents who believed they had no diabetes were found to have either pre-diabetes (41.6 per cent) or diabetes (5.9 per cent). Among those unsure about their diabetes status, more than half had abnormal blood sugar levels; nearly 40 per cent had pre-diabetes, and over 10 per cent had diabetes.

More concerningly, fewer than half of those who actually had diabetes (64 out of 137 of surveyed participants) were aware of their condition. Among those with pre-diabetes, nearly 70 per cent believed they did not have diabetes. These findings reflect a worrying gap between people’s perceptions and their actual health condition.

Professor Leonard Lee, Director of IPUR, said, “The findings of the study highlight existing gaps in awareness and knowledge, and underscore the importance of going for regular health screenings. We see that many people are unaware of their blood glucose levels and therefore do not take any action or make lifestyle changes to manage their health. This is especially important for people with pre-diabetes who are more at risk of getting diabetes.”

Mr Satyaprakash Tiwari, Director of Diabetes Singapore, commented, “The partnership between Diabetes Singapore and IPUR has given us valuable information on the greatest needs of local communities regarding diabetes mitigation. The study has demonstrated that prevention should come before reaction – people need to go for regular screenings in order to better care for their health and reduce their vulnerability to diabetes.”

To further this partnership, IPUR and Diabetes SG plan to collaborate on developing and testing interventions and risk communication strategies aimed at improving diabetes management in Singapore. This new initiative will build on prior research led by IPUR which suggests that cultivating a growth mindset may foster greater motivation for better care and treatment of this chronic disease.

[1] Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, used in the survey, measures a person’s average blood sugar over the past two to three months. Results between 5.7 per cent and 6.4 per cent indicate pre-diabetes, while a level below 5.7 per cent is normal, and 6.5 per cent or higher classifies a person as having diabetes.​