Diabetes Management in Conflict Zones: Epidemiological Insights, Challenges, and Strategic Interventions

1Asogwa Thaddeus Chijioke and 2Ochie Casmir Ndubuisi

1Department of Community Medicine & Primary Healthcare, Enugu State University College of Medicine (ESUCOM), Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

Email: asogwatc@gmail.com

2Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla Enugu. Nigeria.

Email: drcasmirnf@gmail.com

                                                                      ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide concern especially in areas of conflict. This review looks at diabetes epidemiology in these zones and the factors that affect the disease burden and care. Civil wars affect the health care system, which leads to a lack of personnel and services that are critically needed for diabetes management, including blood glucose monitoring and physician visits. Lack of access to medication is rife in war zones which implies that insulin and other necessary diabetes medications are hard to come by and this results to high blood sugar levels and complications such as ketoacidosis and infections. Another big problem is malnutrition. Conflicts lead to food scarcity and limited access to balanced diets that are crucial in managing diabetes. Poor quality food aid exacerbates the problem of blood glucose control. Furthermore, the stress of conflict because of death, displacement and living in fear worsens anxiety which in turn affects diabetes management and blood sugar levels. To meet these challenges, new ideas are needed. Mobile health care can help deliver necessary medical assistance and drugs in the areas affected by conflicts. Policy advocacy is essential to develop policies for diabetic health care needs in these regions. Understanding these factors is vital to developing appropriate interventions and plans, improving diabetes management, and improving the health of vulnerable populations. These strategies are crucial in reducing the effects of conflict on diabetes care and enhancing the well-being of those in the community. Abbreviations: CGM= Continuous Glucose Monitoring, iPSCs = induced pluripotent stem cells, BCAAs= branched-chain amino acids, RM= regenerative medicine

Keywords: Diabetes, conflict zones, healthcare delivery, medication shortages, bioengineering, policy advocacy.

CITE AS: Asogwa Thaddeus Chijioke and Ochie Casmir Ndubuisi (2026). Diabetes Management in Conflict Zones: Epidemiological Insights, Challenges, and Strategic Interventions. Research Output Journal of Public Health and Medicine 6(1):144-159.
https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJPHM/2026/61144159