Diabetes INFORMATION
Diabetes Statistics
The following table is a compilation of
statistics from several sources. We have striven to provide the most accurate information
available. In some cases, information may not be complete because of the age of the data.
Some of the following information was obtained at the CDC website. You may see the actual
reports here.
| Category |
1997 |
2000*
*Some data may be newer than this date, however, where the date is not fully
documented and the numbers are equal to or higher than the 2000 figures, we have include
the data in this column. |
| Where
there is a chart in these columns, check the actual chart for the dates the information
applies to. |
| Percentage of Adults
with Diagnosed Diabetes*
*Includes women with a history of gestational diabetes.
Source: CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
|
|
| New cases diagnosed per
year |
798,000 |
803,000
- 1.0 million people aged 20 years or older. |
| Graphical
Representation of Above Data |
No Graph of the data
was made in the year 1997. If one is made available to us, we will, of course, include it
in future updates. |
Number of new cases of
diagnosed diabetes in people aged 20 years or older, by age group — United States,
2000 
Source:
1997-1999 National Health Interview Survey estimates projected to year 2000
Detailed
information about this graph is available. |
| Prevalence
of diabetes--total population |
| Diagnosed |
10.3 million people |
11.1
million people |
| Undiagnosed |
Data
Not Available |
5.9
million people |
| Total |
Data
Not Available |
17.0
million people — 6.2% of the population — have diabetes. |
| Prevalence
of diabetes by age |
| Age 65 years or older |
6.3 million. 18.4%
of all people in this age group have diabetes. |
7.0 million. 20.1% of all people in this age group have
diabetes. |
| Age 20 years or older |
15.6 million.
8.2% of all people in this age group have diabetes. |
16.9 million. 8.6% of all people in this age group have
diabetes. About 1 million new cases in people aged 20 or older will be
diagnosed this year alone. |
| Graphical
Representation of Above Data |
No Graph of the data
was made in the year 1997. If one is made available to us, we will, of course, include it
in future updates. |
Prevalence of diabetes in people aged 20 years or older, by
age group — United States, 2000
Source:
1997-1999 National Health Interview Survey and 1988-1994 National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey estimates projected to year 2000
Detailed
information about this graph is available. |
| Under age 20 |
123,000. 0.16%
of all people in this age group have diabetes. |
About 151,000 people less than 20 years of age have diabetes. This
represents 0.19% of all people in this age group. Approximately one in every 400-500
children and adolescents has type 1 diabetes. |
Prevalence
of diabetes by sex in people 20 years or older*
* These figures do not include the approximately 123,000 cases of diabetes in children
and teenagers in the United States in 1997. |
| Men |
7.5 million. 8.2%
of all men have diabetes. |
7.8
million. 8.3% of all men have diabetes. |
| Women |
8.1 million. 8.2%
of all women have diabetes. |
9.1
million. 8.9% of all women have diabetes. |
Prevalence
of diabetes by race/ethnicity in people 20 years or older*
* These figures do not include the approximately 123,000 cases of diabetes in
children and teenagers in the United States in 1997. |
| Non-Hispanic whites |
11.3 million.
7.8% of all non-Hispanic whites have diabetes. |
11.4
million. 7.8% of all non-Hispanic whites have diabetes. |
| Non-Hispanic blacks |
2.3 million. 10.8%
of all non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes.
On average, non-Hispanic blacks are 1.7 times as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic
whites of similar age. |
2.8
million. 13.0% of all non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes. On average, non-Hispanic
blacks are 2.0 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of similar age. |
| Mexican Americans |
1.2 million. 10.6%
of all Mexican Americans have diabetes.
On average, Mexican Americans are 1.9 times as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic
whites of similar age. |
Note:
Some Mexican American and Other Hispanic/Latino American statistics have been merged for
2002
2.0 million. 10.2% of all Hispanic/Latino Americans have diabetes. On average,
Hispanic/Latino Americans are 1.9 times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic
whites of similar age. Mexican Americans, the largest Hispanic/Latino subgroup, are 2.0
times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of similar age. Similarly,
residents of Puerto Rico are 2.0 times more likely to have diagnosed diabetes than U.S.
non-Hispanic whites. Sufficient data are not available to derive more specific current
estimates for other Hispanic/Latino groups. |
| Other Hispanic/Latino
Americans |
On average,
Hispanic/Latino Americans are almost twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic
whites of similar age. (Sufficient data are not currently available to derive more
specific estimates.) |
| American Indians and
Alaska Natives |
9% of
American Indians and Alaska Natives have diagnosed diabetes. On average, American Indians
and Alaska Natives are 2.8 times as likely to have diagnosed diabetes as non-Hispanic
whites of similar age. |
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.
Note: The following statistics are for American Indians and Alaska
Natives who receive care from the Indian Health Service (IHS)
105,000. 15.1% of American Indians and Alaska Natives receiving care from IHS have
diabetes. At the regional level, diabetes is least common among Alaska Natives (5.3%)
and most common among American Indians in the southeastern United States (25.7%) and in
certain tribes from the Southwest. On average, American Indians and Alaska Natives are 2.6
times more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites of similar age. |
| Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders |
Prevalence
data for diabetes among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are limited. Some groups
within this population are at increased risk for diabetes. For example, data collected
from 1988 to 1995 suggest that Native Hawaiians are twice as likely to have diagnosed
diabetes as white residents of Hawaii. |
Prevalence
data for diabetes among Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders
are limited. Some groups within these populations are at increased risk for diabetes. For
example, data collected from 1996 to 2000 suggest that Native Hawaiians are 2.5 times more
likely to have diagnosed diabetes than white residents of Hawaii of similar age. |
| Graphical
Representation of Above Percentages |
No Graph of the data
was made in the year 1997. If one is made available to us, we will, of course, include it
in future updates. |
Age-adjusted prevalence of
diabetes in people aged 20 years or older, by race/ethnicity — United States, 2000 
Source:
1997-1999 National Health Interview Survey and 1988-1994 National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey estimates projected to year 2000. 1998 outpatient database of the
Indian Health Service.
Detailed
information about this graph is available. |
 Diabetes
Risk factors
The jury is still out on the exact
cause of any of the types of diabetes, but we do know several risk factors for developing
it. If you have any of the risk factors, it does not, however, mean that you will
definitely develop a form of diabetes. There are also things you can do to reduce your
risk. The Diabetes
Improvement Program has an entire chapter devoted to changing the underlying causes of
diabetes. For an example of why you should change the underlying cause and not just treat
the symptoms, read an excerpt from the book. Determine your risk factors and take
control of those you can change!
Type I Diabetes
Vaccinations: For Type
I Diabetes, the disease seems to be mostly hereditary, although studies are being
conducted as to whether certain immunizations can be linked to it. The following articles
outline possible connections between certain vaccines, both in the US and other countries:
Juvenile
Diabetes and Vaccination- New Evidence For A Connection
April 16, 1997 Congressional Hearing
Further information on the issue of a
connection between immunizations and Diabetes Type I can be found at the following links:
Vaccine
Saftey Website
National Vaccine Information Center
Viruses: For some
time, a link between groups of viruses and Type I diabetes has been suspected, but a new
British study may have found evidence of a clear link.:
Virus
link to childhood diabetes--UK
scientists have found strong evidence suggesting that diabetes is caused by a virus.
Autoimmune Condition: The
body's own immune system can attack healthy beta cells in the pancreas.
Heredity definitely
seems to play a part in those who develop Type I diabetes. Any family history increases
the risk, but especially the following groups:
- People whose parents have Type I have a greater risk
of developing it.
- Siblings of those with Type I have about a 10 Percent
possibility of developing it by the age of 50.
- An identical twin of a Type I diabeteic has a 25 to
50 percent possibility of developing it.
Racial or Ethnic groups: Whites
have a higher incidence of Type I diabetes than other racial or ethnic groups.
Type II Diabetes
There are more risk factors for Type II
diabetes, and several of these risk factors can be eliminated through following the
program outlined in The
Diabetes Improvement Program.
Obesity: One of the leading risk
factors is being 20% or more over the ideal body weight, which makes the pancreas work
extra hard to produce enough insulin. It is just beginning to be understood how obesity
makes the body's tissues less sensitive to insulin.
Heredity: Having a history of Type
II diabetes in the family means a greater possiblity of developing it in some cases.
Physical or Emotional Stress: Stress
in the body does just what it sounds like... it stresses the body. When the body is
stressed, it is not working effeciently, and it gets worn down.
Sedentary Lifestyle: Those who are
inactive in their work and play have a greater risk of Type II diabetes.
Excercising less than 3 times a week can put you at
greater risk.
Age: The risk for Type II diabetes
increases with age
- Those over 45 years of age are at greater risk.
- Almost 20% of those over 65 have this type of
diabetes.
Medical History:
- Infections
- History of Pancreatic Disease
- History of gestational diabetes--those who have had
diabetes during pregnancy in the past are at a greater risk for this type as well
- Women who have given birth to babies over 9 pounds
Medical Conditions:
- High triglyceride levels (the "bad"
cholesterol, at levels over 250 mg/dL) / low levels of HDL cholesterol (under 35 m/dL)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Racial or Ethnic groups: African
American, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic, Latino and Pacific Islanders have a
higher incidence of diabetes than other ethnic groups. This is evidenced also by
clinic-based reports and regional studies which show that Type II diabetes is becoming
more common among American Indian, African American, and Hispanic and Latino children and
adolescents.
Gestational Diabetes
Weight: Women who are above their
normal body weight before pegnancy are at increased risk.
Heridity: A family history of
diabetes (parent or siblings especially) increases the risk of this type of diabetes.
Age: The risk for gestational
diabetes increases for women over 25 years old
Racial or Ethnic groups: African
American, Native American, Asian American, and Hispanic women have a higher incidence of
gestational diabetes than other ethnic groups.
Other Risk Factors
These can put a person at risk for one
or more types of diabetes.
Medications and drugs: The
use of certain drugs can increase your risk of developing diabetes.
- Hydantoin medicines (example: dilantin)
- Blood pressure medications (example: thiazides)
- Steroid medicines (example: decadron, prednisone)
- Medicines transplant recipients receive (example:
cyclosporine)
Lifestyle: Certain lifestyle
choices can increase your risk of developing diabetes, as well as many other conditions
and diseases. These are relatively easy risk factors to eliminate, if a person is
determined.
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking (over a period of years)
Medical Conditions: Physical damage
to the pancreas either through the excessive use of alcohol, or another reason, such as
trauma or pancreatitis can also be a possible risk factor.
Diabetes Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of diabetes may
include one or more of the following:
- Intense hunger (even after eating)
- Unusual thirst/dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Dry, itchy skin
- Itching of skin in groinal or vaginal region
- Unusual weight loss
- Recent weight gain
- Extreme fatigue
- Headache
- Rapid breathing
- Irritability, depression, mood swings
- Blurred vision/sudden vision changes
- High blood pressure
- Frequent/recurring infections such as skin,
yeast, and urinary tract infections
- Slow healing cuts/bruises
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Loss of consciousness (this is rare, but can occur)
- Skin changes in the neck, armpit and groin area
(velvety dark skin called acanthosis nigricans)
If you have these symptoms, it is important that you
see your health care professional as soon as possible. Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes
can be intense and severe, and often occur suddenly. But please keep in mind that many
people who have Type II Diabetes may display no symptoms, or the symptoms may develop very
gradually.. A number of people have reported a reduction in these symptoms by following
the plan in The
Diabetes Improvement Program.
Diagnosing Diabetes
Doctors often suspect diabetes when one
or more symptoms are experienced by a patient. Before they actually diagnose a person with
diabetes, however,tests will be performed. These could consist of a fasting plasma glucose
test, a casual plasma glucose test.
Fasting plasma glucose test
(FPG):
Measures the blood glucose level after
not eating for ten to twelve hours. Fasting blood glucose for a person without diabetes is
70 to 115 mg/dL. If two separate tests show a level equal to or greater than 126 m/dL, a
diagnosis of dibetes is made. (A normal reading would be between 70 and 115 mg/dL.) Easily
administered, less costly, and convenient for the patient, this test is the preferred
method of diagnosing diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association.
Casual plasma glucose test:
Blood glucose is tested without regard
to when the last meal was eaten. Glucose levels greater than 200mg/dL may indicate
diabetes, particularly if similar results are obtained from later tests.
Glucose tolerance test (GTT):
This is a test used to measure the body's ability to
metabolize glucose. It is another method used to detect diabetes, but is normally only
performed during pregnancy. Other reasons for this type of diabetes test include testing
when diabetes is suspected even though there is a normal fasting glucose, or in diabetes
research studies. There are two types of glucose tolerance tests.
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
This is the most common glucose tolerance test. A person must fast overnight
before taking this test. Blood and urine samples are taken, and then the person drinks a
solution with a specific amount of glucose. Every hour for three hours, blood will be
taken again and the blood glucose levels will be measured. Levels above normal can
diagnose Type II or gestational diabetes.
Intravenous glucose tolerance test (IGTT)
This glucose tolerance test is not common. A person's blood glucose is measured,
and then he is given a specific amount of glucose intravenously (directly into the vein)
for three minutes. During this, his glucose is measured after the first minute, and
then again at the end of the three minute injection. Low levels (below normal) indicate
Type 1 diabetes in some people.
There are some people that have a normal fasting
blood glucose reading, but as they eat, their glocose levels rise rapidly. This may be
caused by glucose intolerance. If the glucose levels are very high, they may be diagnosed
as diabetic.
A
Note About Impaired Fasting Glucose
This is a new diagnostic category. Some people have fasting glucose values of
110-125 mg/dL. This is higher than normal but less than a diabetic. It is estimated that
13.4 million people have impared fasting glucose. It is not yet known how to predict which
will develop diabetes, or its prevention, but scientists are working on it.
SWEETNERS
for Diabetics -What you don't know could kill you!
Refined Sugar-- Coffee
Break for Healthy Alternatives
"...in the 19th Century, medical history records a
dramatic increase in fatalities caused by diabetes. But rather than blame diabetes on the
increased sugar consumption of that period, doctors determined the cause of diabetes was
failure of the pancreas to secrete sufficient amounts of insulin. In 1923, Canadian
physician Frederick Banting received a Nobel prize for discovering how to provide diabetes
patients with insulin and use it to control their glucose level. This invention has
generated huge profits for the medical and pharmaceutical professions as millions of
people became dependent on insulin for the rest of their lives.
Then, in 1924 Dr. Seale Harris, a professor of medicine at
the University of Alabama, discovered hyperinsulinism (also called low blood glucose or
hypoglycemia), which is characterized by the overproduction of insulin. Dr. Harris
developed the glucose tolerance test still used today to diagnose this problem, but there
was no Nobel prize for Dr. Harris. Unlike Dr. Banting's findings of the previous year, the
shortcoming of Dr. Harris' discovery was that he did not find any miracle drug or
treatment for this disease that could make anyone a profit. The only cure for a person
with hypoglycemia, Dr. Harris found, is for that person to eliminate refined sugar from
their diet. And as Dufty shows in his book, the A.M.A. and the Department of Health,
Education and Welfare do not even acknowledge that hypoglycemia is a widespread disease,
even though 49.2 percent of 134,000 responses in an H.E.W. survey volunteered that they
suffered from hypoglycemia under the category of "Do you have any other
condition?""
Aspartame-- The original Nancy Markel
letter
"Aspartame changes the brain's chemistry. It is the reason for
severe seizures. This drug changes the dopamine level in the brain. Imagine
what this drug does to patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease. This drug also causes
Birth Defects. There is absolutely no reason to take this product. It is NOT A
DIET PRODUCT!!! The Congressional record said, "It makes you crave
carbohydrates and will make you FAT". Dr. Roberts stated that when he got patients
off aspartame, their average weight loss was 19 pounds per person. The
formaldehyde stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs.
Aspartame is especially deadly for diabetics. All physicians know what
wood alcohol will do to a diabetic. We find that physicians believe that they have
patients with retinopathy, when in fact, it is caused by the aspartame. The
aspartame keeps the blood sugar level out of control, causing many patients to go into a
coma. Unfortunately, many have died. People were telling us at the Conference
of the American College of Physicians, that they had relatives that switched from
saccharin to an aspartame product and how that relative had eventually gone into a coma.
Their physicians could not get the blood sugar levels under control. Thus, the patients
suffered acute memory loss and eventually coma and death."
Tooth
Care for Diabetics
For diabetics, tooth care is possibly
even more important than for the general population. Many diabetics are more prone to
infections, and those infections can be more serious than the normal dental population.
High blood sugar complicates the processes which our bodies use to keep our teeth healthy,
and instead give the bacteria which cause tooth decay an environment in which to thrive.
It is important to note that people who
control their diabetes have no more periodontal disease than non-diabetics. People who do
not control their diabetes lose more teeth and have more oral complications than
non-diabetics. It is imperative to your teeth and your mouth that you
maintain your blood sugar levels through a proper diet, and a management system like the
one found in The Diabetes Improvement Program.
Be sure to talk to your dentist about
your oral health. Take care of your teeth! They are the only set you have. Further
information can be found at the following dental sites:
Dental Reference--Answers to questions about many types of dental care and products.
Floss.com--The World of Dentistry Online. This site has more
information on specific conditions and diabetes related causes of tooth and gum problems.
What
you can do if you have Diabetes Symptoms
Although diabetes is a serious
condition, it can be controlled, and sometimes reversed. Learn all you can and talk things
over with your health care professional.
1. Read all the
information on this website including our Diabetes
Symptoms and Newly
Diagnosed Diabetes pages
2. Get The Diabetes Improvement Program
and follow it!
3. Change your
diet--check out these Diabetes
Cookbooks
4. Continue researching
your condition on our Diabetes Links page
The information on this site is
intended to help you talk to your doctor in an informed manner. It is not intended to
replace any medical advice you receive.
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS
FOR GENERAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED OR USED AS MEDICAL
ADVICE.
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