Learning Objective #1: learn about the risk factors that influence a higher risk towards diabetes mellitus worldwide.

Learning Objective #2: learn nursing’s unique perspective to understand the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and how nurses can contribute to approach this problem.

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Purpose: To understand the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) as a global problem and discuss theoretical perspectives that can be used as models to approach this problem in nursing science.

Background: The prevalence of DM has been rising rapidly for the world's population, whether in developing- or developed countries and/or urban or rural areas. However, a significant amount of research focuses on DM prevention and management mainly at the level of the individual or community not on national, and/or global levels. Considering its social and economic impact on the health of the world's population from DM and its complications, it would be crucial how we could approach this problem in nursing science with global perspective.

Methods: A literature review for relevant scientific and theoretical literatures between DM and nursing science was conducted. Ovid Medline and CINAHL databases were searched using the search terms “DM” or “chronic illness” and “global health or world health", limited to published English literature involving humans. In addition, landmark articles about DM and global health were included using purposive sampling.

Findings: The high prevalence of DM worldwide is due to three phenomena: urbanization, westernization, and population aging. These three phenomena around the world influence subsequent risk factors which are: the increasing prevalence of obesity, lifestyle changes, community/neighborhoods factors, and individual factors. These subsequent factors influence the high prevalence of DM. Nurses have a unique perspective which can enable them to make indispensable contributions.

Conclusions: Nursing should include identifying individuals and families at risk, developing models to explain the association between risk factors and high prevalence of DM, developing and testing interventions to prevent and manage prevalence of DM, and creating and refining interventions to be culturally appropriate. With these strategies and the unique nursing perspectives, nurses have the potential to contribute to better global health.