Health focus in Cyprus: Diabetes awareness and shingles risk factors

Ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14, the Pan-Cyprian Diabetes Association has highlighted the critical importance of early diagnosis and the application of medical protocols. Official data indicates that there are 78,084 people living with diabetes in Cyprus, including 9,393 with Type 1 and 65,879 with Type 2. Among minors under 18, there are 379 cases of Type 1 and 130 of Type 2. Concerns remain high as an estimated 36.6% of diabetes cases may go undiagnosed, leading to potential complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney issues, and blindness. Eurostat 2023 data places Cyprus at the second-worst position in the EU for age-standardized diabetes mortality, with 53.13 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

Simultaneously, medical authorities are raising awareness regarding the risk of shingles, particularly for individuals over 50. Those with existing cardiovascular conditions face up to a 34% higher risk of developing shingles due to age-related changes in the immune system. Doctors advise patients in high-risk categories to discuss preventative measures and their individual risk factors during routine medical check-ups to mitigate complications from both diabetes and the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus.