Trends and age-period-cohort effects on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Brazil, 2006-2021.
Type 2 diabetes; Demographic transition; Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model, prevalence.
This study addresses the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Brazil in light of the demographic and epidemiological transitions the country is undergoing. The demographic transition, marked by declining fertility and mortality rates, has accelerated population aging. Combined with the epidemiological transition, characterized by the replacement of infectious diseases with noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs), this process has created a new scenario of morbidity and mortality. Among these NCDs, type 2 diabetes stands out for its rapid growth, especially among individuals aged 40 and older, the target group of this research. The disease is multifactorial, linked to social determinants of health, lifestyle, and aging. To investigate its trends in Brazil, the study uses data from Vigitel (2006–2021), a surveillance system that monitors risk factors for NCDs in adults living in Brazilian capitals. The analysis applies the Age-Period-Cohort (APC) model, which makes it possible to distinguish the effects of aging (age), contextual changes over time (period), and the experiences of different generations (cohort). The results contribute to understanding the temporal dynamics of type 2 diabetes in the country and provide important input for planning public policies aimed at preventing and controlling the disease. Considering the growing impact of diabetes on health systems and the elderly population, the study reinforces the need for intersectoral strategies to address the challenges posed by the simultaneous demographic and epidemiological transitions.