Original Article Challenges in diabetology research in India Swarup Jena a, *, Brijesh Mishra b , Anamika Yadav a , Pranav Desai a a Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India b Centre for Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India A R T I C L E I N F O Article history: Available online xxx Keywords: Diabetes Diabetology research S&T policy Health policy Research evaluation A B S T R A C T Background: Diabetes emerges out to be a major epidemic in recent years that engulfs both developed and developing countries across the globe. India, a country witnessing rapid socioeconomic progress and urbanization carries a considerable share of the global diabetes burden. There has been an incongruity between disease burden and the technical capacity to make use of existing knowledge or to generate new knowledge to combat diabetes in India. Aim: This paper examines the role of different actors, organizations & institutions in shaping diabetology research in India using arrays of scientific indicators such as research output (publications and patents), research finance and role of policy-making bodies. This paper also identifies research gaps and challenges pertinent to this sector. Methodology: A combination of three methods patent data analysis, publication data analysis and primary survey corroborated with secondary data to obtain desire objectives. We made an in-depth study of the patent and publication data (2000–2016) to know the research output and direction of Indian actors, institutions and organizations in the area of diabetes research. Results: This paper identifies some key structural barriers and institutional challenges pertinent to diabetology research in India that will help in canvassing and formulating science, technology and policy guidelines for diabetology research in India Conclusion: Multilevel intervention requires bridging the gap between knowledge and action hence policy-making should align to balance resources with innovation capabilities. © 2017 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction The current trends in global health burden appear shifting gear gradually. On one hand, diseases like cholera, plague, polio, leprosy, malaria, HIV and tuberculosis are declining [1,2] due to timely interventions and effective management, specific target oriented interventions by government & international agencies, massive immunization, improved sanitation and lifestyle of individuals; on other hand chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (heart diseases) are increasing exponen- tially [2]. Over the last decade due to focused action to attain Millennium Development Goals, India had made steady progress in improving and strengthening her health care system. The National Health Policy of 1983 and the National Health Policy of 2002 have served well, in guiding the health sector through Five-Year Plans and different schemes (Central, states sponsor & Public Private Partnership) [3]. However, in the contemporary scenario, India’s health priorities are changing. More than sixty percent of all global deaths are reported due to chronic diseases [4,5]. The rising problems of these diseases have widespread social and economic impacts, affecting all levels of society, including households, healthcare systems and national and global economies [1,6,7]. In the contemporary world, diabetes is recognized as a major lifestyle disease. Globally, 415 million adults have diabetes and 318 million adults have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which puts them at high risk of developing the disease in the future. Every one in 15 adults is estimated to have IGT and one in seven births is affected by gestational diabetes [4]. The scenario of diabetes in a country like India is also not different from the larger picture. It’s genetic profile of the population, sedentary lifestyles, high-stress levels, insomnia and deteriorating eating habits are some of the major factors contributing to its galloping figure of the diabetic population. India is currently undergoing a demographic transition which reflects both quantitative as well as qualitative changes in the population profile. She has world’s second-largest pool of diabetic patients with 69.2 million people were affected till 2015 * Corresponding author at: Centre for Studies in Science Policy, JNU. E-mail address: swarupkjena@gmail.com (S. Jena). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2017.12.018 1871-4021/© 2017 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews xxx (2017) xxx–xxx G Model DSX 901 No. of Pages 7 Please cite this article in press as: S. Jena, et al., Challenges in diabetology research in India, Diab Met Syndr: Clin Res Rev (2018), https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.dsx.2017.12.018 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews journal homepa ge: www.elsev ier.com/locate/dsx