By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Diabetes has emerged as South Africa's leading cause of death, with new mortality data highlighting the growing impact of non-communicable diseases. Stats SA recorded more than 27,000 deaths in 2023 where diabetes mellitus was the underlying cause, making it the country's biggest recorded killer that year. The crisis is being linked to rising metabolic conditions, unhealthy diets and other lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, while experts warn that many cases remain undiagnosed. The latest figures raise urgent questions about how South Africa is preventing and managing a disease that can cause serious complications long before diagnosis. But how did diabetes become such a major killer, and what can be done to reverse the trend? Durban based GP Dr Preeti Ramlachan spoke to Newsbreak, explaining what you need to do to protect yourself from Diabetes... 

<p>By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Diabetes has emerged as South Africa's leading cause of death, with new mortality data highlighting the growing impact of non-communicable diseases. Stats SA recorded more than 27,000 deaths in 2023 where diabetes mellitus was the underlying cause, making it the country's biggest recorded killer that year. The crisis is being linked to rising metabolic conditions, unhealthy diets and other lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, while experts warn that many cases remain undiagnosed. The latest figures raise urgent questions about how South Africa is preventing and managing a disease that can cause serious complications long before diagnosis. But how did diabetes become such a major killer, and what can be done to reverse the trend? Durban based GP Dr Preeti Ramlachan spoke to Newsbreak, explaining what you need to do to protect yourself from Diabetes...&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Award-winning Current Affairs programme and News talk show. Brought to you by SABC News.</p>