India, Nov. 14 -- Pain is one of the body's oldest alarm systems, but type 2 diabetes rarely sets it off. It can develop for years without obvious symptoms, quietly damaging the blood vessels and nerves that serve the heart, kidneys, eyes and feet. By the time people notice something is wrong and seek help, some of that damage may already be done. An estimated 38.6 million Indian adults have diabetes without knowing it. India has made checks free and widely available to reach this group but persuading the people most at risk that they need a check in the first place is proving much harder.

A new survey by the International Diabetes Federation highlights how people at high risk of diabetes think they don't need a check up. Among Indian ad...