Type 2 diabetes has become a major health epidemic in Mexico, which ranks among the top 10 countries globally for diabetes prevalence, reporting the highest diabetes-related mortality rates in Latin America. Current global health expenditure is at US$727 billion, with three-quarters of global cases occurring in low- to middle-income countries. In Mexico, a middle-income country, 75.2% of adults are affected by overweight or obesity, which are key factors for diabetes that put extreme pressure on local health systems already struggling with inequality.
Rural communities in the State of Puebla face compounded challenges. Despite industrial development in urban centres, hard-to-reach communities lack basic health infrastructure, with limited access to quality healthcare, medication, and education. Puebla consistently ranks in the top five most underdeveloped and poorest states in Mexico, with diabetes identified as the dominant health concern in recent community needs assessments.
Emerging evidence suggests climate-related stressors, particularly temperature extremes, may significantly impact glucose metabolism. Research indicates that heat exposure impairs insulin signaling, while cold temperatures can induce insulin resistance in experimental models. This project explores how climate variability affects continuous glucose monitoring in Puebla’s hard-to-reach populations, where diverse climate zones driven by extreme elevation ranges create unique environmental challenges for diabetes management
