As an example, a comparison between data collected in Blumenau (Southern Brazil) and Itabuna, situated in Bahia state (Northeastern Brazil), ranked 22nd for HDI, shows significant differences on the health profile of patients who underwent DR screening: the present sample from Blumenau, consisting of 686 individuals aged 59.2 ± 13.3 years, with average diabetes duration of 12.1 years, reported use of insulin in 68.4%; more than mild DR was present in 12.8%; and educational level was up to elementary school in 43.3%. Here, INS is linked to diabetes mellitus.