Narrative Review of Prevention Strategies for Type 2 Diabetes

Mukamana Sandra Gisele

School of Applied Health Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major and escalating global public health challenge, driven largely by modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on prevention strategies for T2DM across individual, clinical, community, and policy levels. Lifestyle modification, particularly dietary change, weight management, physical activity, and behavioral support, remains the cornerstone of primary prevention and has demonstrated sustained risk reduction in diverse populations. Pharmacologic interventions, including metformin and newer agents such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, offer additional benefit for individuals at high metabolic risk when combined with lifestyle approaches. Surgical interventions, notably bariatric and metabolic surgery, provide effective risk reduction in selected populations with severe obesity. Beyond individual-level interventions, community- and policy-based strategies targeting food environments, urban planning, public health education, and screening programs play a critical role in shaping population-wide risk profiles. However, significant challenges persist, including inequities in access, long-term adherence, variability in outcomes, and gaps in implementation and evaluation. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, culturally tailored, and sustainable prevention frameworks supported by translational research and cross-sector collaboration. Strengthening the reach and equity of evidence-based interventions is essential to curb the growing global burden of type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes; Diabetes prevention; Lifestyle modification; Pharmacological interventions; Public health strategies.

CITE AS: Mukamana Sandra Gisele. (2026). Narrative Review of Prevention Strategies for Type 2 Diabetes. IDOSR JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 11(1):70-75. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJSR/2026/11.1.17075