What is it about?
Diabetes is not only caused by biology or lifestyle—it is also deeply influenced by social and economic conditions. In this study, we analyzed national health survey data from Indonesia to understand how factors such as income, education, employment, technology use, and access to healthcare affect the number of people living with diabetes. We found that people with higher income were more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, while those with lower education or without stable jobs had more difficulty managing their condition. Access to clean water and nearby health centers helped reduce diabetes risk. Only a few patients used telemedicine, showing that digital health is still underused. Our research shows that reducing social and economic inequalities is key to improving diabetes prevention and care in Indonesia.
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Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash
Why is it important?
We show that diabetes in Indonesia is not just a medical issue—it reflects deep social and economic inequalities. This research is unique because it uses national data to explore how education, income, housing, and access to technology shape who gets diabetes and who receives care. The findings highlight that improving health services alone is not enough. Reducing inequality, expanding access to digital health, and strengthening community health centers are all crucial to help people manage diabetes better. Our study provides evidence that can guide fairer health policies and improve quality of life for millions of Indonesians living with diabetes.
Perspectives
Writing this article was both challenging and inspiring. We wanted to move beyond numbers and statistics to show the real human side of diabetes in Indonesia—the social and economic inequalities that shape who gets sick and who receives care. Working with national data and a multidisciplinary team helped us see how health is deeply connected to education, technology, and community structures. I hope this article encourages policymakers and health professionals to think more broadly about diabetes—not only as a medical condition but also as a social issue that demands fair and inclusive solutions.
Mr Ferry Efendi
Universitas Airlangga
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Socioeconomic Disparities Among People with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in Indonesia, SAGE Open, October 2025, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/21582440251385984.
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