Trend analysis in 2005 to 2011 showed high growth in diabetes prevalence in Iran. Considering the high
prevalence of diabetes in the country and likely to increase its prevalence in the future, the analysis of
diabetes-related policies and programs is very important and effective in the prevention and control of diabetes.
Therefore, the aim of the study was an analysis of policies and programs related to prevention and control of
diabetes in Iran in 2014.
This study was a policy analysis using deductive thematic content analysis of key documents. The health policy
triangle framework was used in the data analysis. PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched to find
relevant studies and documents. Also, hand searching was conducted among references of the identified studies.
MAXQDA 10 software was used to organize and analyze data.
The main reasons to take into consideration diabetes in Iran can be World Health Organization (WHO) report in
1989, and high prevalence of diabetes in the country. The major challenges in implementing the diabetes
program include difficulty in referral levels of the program, lack of coordination between the private sector and
the public sector and the limitations of reporting system in the specialized levels of the program.
Besides strengthening referral system, the government should allocate more funds to the program and more
importance to the educational programs for the public. Also, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the
private sector should involve in the formulation and implementation of the prevention and control programs of
diabetes in the future.