There are 15.7 million people or 5.9% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 10.3 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.4 million people are not aware that they have the disease. Each day approximately 2,200 people are diagnosed with diabetes. About 798,000 people will be diagnosed this year.
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death (sixth-leading cause of death by disease) in the United States. Based on death certificate data, diabetes contributed to more than 187,000 deaths in 1995. Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure.
Diabetes is a Silent Killer
Many people first become aware that they have diabetes when they develop one of its life-threatening complications.
Blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people ages 20-74. Each year, from 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes.
Kidney Disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, accounting for about 40% of new cases. In 1995, approximately 27,900 people initiated treatment for end stage renal disease (kidney failure) because of diabetes.
Nerve Disease and Amputations. About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times greater for a person with diabetes. Each year, more than 56,000 amputations are performed among people with diabetes.
Heart Disease and Stroke. People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease which is present in 75 percent of diabetes-related deaths (more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). And, they are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke.
Direct and Indirect Costs of Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most costly health problems in America. Health care and other costs directly related to diabetes treatment, as well as the costs of lost productivity, run $92 billion annually. Some estimates run as high as $138 billion which includes all health care costs incurred by people with diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are two major types of diabetes:
- Type 1. An autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10 percent of diabetes.
- Type 2. A metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Gestational diabetes develops in 2 % to 5% of all pregnancies but disappears when a pregnancy is over. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes.
- "Other specific types" of diabetes result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.
Who is at Greater Risk for Type 1 Diabetes?
- Siblings of people with type 1 diabetes
- Children of parents with type 1 diabetes
Who is at Greater Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?
- People over age 45
- People with a family history of diabetes
- People who are overweight
- People who do not exercise regularly
- People with low HDL or high triglycerides
- Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian & Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans)
- Women who had gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes occurring in 2-5 percent of all pregnancies or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth.
Impaired Glucose Homeostasis
Impaired Glucose Homeostasis (or metabolism) refers to a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. There are two categories that are considered risk factors for future diabetes and cardiovascular disease:
- Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) when results of a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test are between 140 to 199 mg/dl. IGT is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and is present in about 11 percent of adults, or approximately 20 million Americans. About 40-45 percent of persons age 65 years of age or older have either type 2 diabetes or IGT.
- Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) when results of an 8-hour fasting plasma glucose test are greater than 110 but less than 126 mg/dl.
Type 2 diabetes is more common among these ethnic groups:
African Americans. African Americans are 1.7 times as likely to have type 2 diabetes as the general population. An estimated 2.3 million African Americans, or 10.8%, have diabetes.
Hispanic Americans. Hispanic Americans are almost twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes. For example, diabetes affects 1.2 million or 10.6% of the Mexican American population.
Native Americans. Overall prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Native Americans is 12.2% vs. 5.2% of the general population. In some tribes, 50% of the population has diabetes.
Warning Signs of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes:
- Frequent urination
- Unusual thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Irritability
Type 2 Diabetes:
- Any of the type 1 symptoms
- Frequent infections
- Blurred vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling/numbness in the hands or feet
- Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections
* Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms.
Other Resources
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