What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Awareness of diabetes as a cardiovascular disease risk factor (n=48988). Intervention: Demographic and geographic factors. Primary outcome: Proportion of individuals who correctly identified diabetes as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

What does this research mean for the field?

Only 32.1% of respondents recognized diabetes as a major cardiovascular disease risk factor, indicating low public awareness in middle- and high-income countries. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To estimate global public awareness of diabetes as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and examine differences across demographic, geographic, and economic strata.

February 2, 2026Open Access

Low Awareness of Diabetes as a Major Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in Middle- and High-Income Countries.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

In a survey of 48,988 adults across 50 countries, only 32.1% correctly identified diabetes as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Only ~32% of the public recognizes diabetes as a major CVD risk factor.

n=48,988

Why the study?

Awareness of diabetes as a major risk factor for CVD may enhance uptake of diabetes screening and primary prevention of CVD.

Key Points

To estimate global public awareness of diabetes as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and examine differences across demographic, geographic, and economic strata.
Analyzed data from an online quality improvement survey administered via the YouGov omnibus platform in 2021 across 50 middle- and high-income countries among adults aged ≥18 years (N = 48,988).
Weighted crude survey responses by age, sex, race, educational attainment, region, and income level to generate nationally representative estimates for each country.
Evaluated differences across age groups using Cochran-Armitage trend testing and across sex, WHO regions, and World Bank income categories using Pearson chi-square tests.
Among 48,988 respondents, 15,747 (32.1%) correctly recognized diabetes as a major risk factor for CVD, with awareness similar between men and women (32.3% vs. 31.9%; P = 0.34).
Awareness increased with age from 30.0% among respondents aged 18–24 years to 36.1% among those aged ≥65 years (P < 0.001 for trend).
Awareness varied across countries from 7.4% in Slovenia to 47.3% in Lithuania, and was significantly higher in high-income countries (36.4%) than in upper-middle-income countries (24.7%; P < 0.001).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=48,988)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

48,988 adults aged 18 and older from 50 middle- and high-income countries surveyed to assess awareness of diabetes as a major cardiovascular disease risk factor.

Outcome

Proportion of individuals in each country who recognized diabetes as a major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factorpatient reported

Two-thirds of adults in surveyed middle- and high-income countries do not recognize diabetes as a major cardiovascular risk factor, highlighting a critical global gap in public health awareness.

Limitations

The online nature of the survey precludes accurate assessment of response rates, making it impossible to quantify nonresponse bias.
Potential selection bias, as individuals who engage in online surveys may be systematically different from those who do not.
Lack of data on low-income countries due to the survey vendor's capacity limitations.
Online nature of the survey precludes accurate assessment of response rates, unable to quantify nonresponse bias
Selection bias inherent to online surveys (respondents may systematically differ from non-respondents)
Lack of data on low-income countries due to survey vendor limitations

Implication

Low awareness signals need for public education campaigns; leaves open whether this improves prevention behaviors.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Awareness of diabetes as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) may enhance uptake of screening for diabetes and primary prevention of CVD. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The American Heart Association conducted an online survey in 50 countries. The main outcome of this study was the proportion of individuals in each country who recognized diabetes as a CVD risk factor. We also examined variation by sex, age, geographic region, and country-level economic development. RESULTS: Among 48,988 respondents, 15,747 (32.1%) identified diabetes as a major CVD risk factor. Awareness was similar among men and women, but increased with age, and was greater in high-income than in middle-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of adults in surveyed countries did not recognize diabetes as a major CVD risk factor. Given the increasing global burden of diabetes and CVD, this finding underscores the need for concerted efforts to raise public health awareness.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Cite This Study

Chaudhary et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Awareness of diabetes as a cardiovascular disease risk factor (n=48,988). Demographic and geographic factors was evaluated on Proportion of individuals who correctly identified diabetes as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In a survey of 48,988 adults across 50 countries, only 32.1% correctly identified diabetes as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6980fe35c1c9540dea810075 https://doi.org/10.17615/2ja0-jy60

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Low awareness signals need for public education campaigns; leaves open whether this improves prevention behaviors.

Low Awareness of Diabetes as a Major Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in Middle- and High-Income Countries.

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Low Awareness of Diabetes as a Major Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in Middle- and High-Income Countries.

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Keep reading

Keep reading