Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem with the number of people with diabetes rising from 108 million (1980) to 422 million (2014). The global occurrence of diabetes among adults 18 years and over has also risen from 4.7% (1980) to 8.5% (2014) (1), with a 5% increase in premature mortality from diabetes from 2000-2016 and it continues to grow more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries.

The major challenges that currently exist in the diabetes arena are providing appropriate and relevant treatments for the major causes of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. In 2012, 2.2 million deaths were caused by high blood glucose and approximately 1.6 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes in 2016 with 50% of all deaths related to high blood glucose occurring prior to 70 years of age. The World Health Organization estimated that diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2016. Preventative measures that can be put in place include regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight, and a healthy diet. It also suggests that precipitating causes such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and stress should be avoided or reduced to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this Special Issue is to examine novel ways in which diabetes can be treated and its consequences avoided or delayed with diet, physical activity, medication, and regular screening and treatment for complications. Original research and review articles are welcome.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Global diabetes health
• Clinical implications of exogenous insulin use in patients
• Characterization of clinically relevant insulins in diabetes patients
• Gestational Diabetes in developing countries
• Use of antimicrobials in treating complications of diabetes
• The impact of poverty on global diabetes
• Alternative therapies for diabetes and associated comorbidities
• Impact of diabetes diagnoses on mental health
• Eating disorders associated with diabetes mellitus
• Impact of diabetic ketoacidosis on newly diagnosed diabetes patients
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in treating diabetes
• Probiotic, prebiotic, and symbiotic interventions in the care of patients with diabetes
• Psychological Insulin Resistance in adults with type 2 diabetes
• Effective medication treatment in hyperglycaemia
• Blended learning in global health