Diabetes Statistics

How Many People Have Diabetes?

Don't miss these fascinating diabetes statistics. Learn how many people have diabetes and what are all the latest diabetes facts and statistics. Where do these statistics on diabetes come from?

From time to time, the National Institute of Health publishes a report detailing the latest Statistics. The information provides an interesting look into the profile of diabetes in America.

The latest report was published in 2007 and also included a startling look at minorities with diabetes. It answers questions like how many people have diabetes and what are the most recent diabetes facts and statistics.

I would note that the report provides a fair amount of diabetes complications related data. This data is given just before the NIH provides a list of healthy living traits that can reduce the incidences of the complications!!

Nothing like a good set up for changing your ways. The moral of the story is: Take care of your health!

Diabetes Statistics - How Many People Have Diabetes?:

Total:  (diagnosed and undiagnosed) 23.6 million people (7.8% of the population).

Diagnosed:  17.9 million people.

Undiagnosed:  5.7 million people.

Age 20+ years:  23.5 million or 10.7 percent of all people in this age group have diabetes.

Age 60+years:  12.2million or 23.1 percent of all people in this age group have diabetes.

Men:  12 million or 11.2 percent of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes.

Women:  11.5 million or 10.2 percent of all woman 20 years or older have diabetes.

Non-Hispanic whites:   14.9 million or 9.8 percent of all non-Hispanic whites have diabetes.

Non-Hispanic Blacks:  3.7 million or 14.7 percent of all non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes.

Younger than 20 years:  186,300 people have been diagnosed with diabetes. No estimates for undiagnosed in this age group.

2007 New Cases:  1.6 million people were diagnosed with diabetes in 2007 (aged 20 years or older).

Diabetes Statistics - Deaths:

2006:  Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death.

2006:  Only 35-40 percent of decedents with diabetes had it listed on their death certificates, thus diabetes as a cause of death may be under reported.

Complications:

Heart Disease:  In 2004, heart disease was noted on 68 percent of diabetes related death certificates (persons 65+ years). Stroke was noted on 16 percent of diabetes related death certificates (persons 65+ years). Heart and stroke risk is 2-4 times greater for diabetics.

Blindness:  Leading cause of new cases in persons aged 20-74.

Kidney Failure:  Leading cause of kidney failure in 2005, representing 44 percent of all cases.

Dental Disease:   Periodontal disease is more common in diabetics. Those who do not control their diabetes were three times more likely to have severe periodontal disease.

Pregnancy:  Poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes before and after conception can cause major birth defects.

Misc.:  Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to chemical imbalances possibly resulting in diabetic ketoacidosis, hypersmolar, and nonketotic coma. Other ailments, such as pneumonia, are often more acute in diabetics.

Preventing Diabetes Complications:

Glucose Control:  Improved glycemic control benefits both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. For every percentage point drop in A1C blood test results, (for example 8.0 to 7.0 percent) can reduce the risk of eye, kidney and nerve diseases by 40 percent!

Blood Pressure:  Good blood pressure control reduces cardiovascular diseases (stroke and heart attack) by 33 to 50 percent, and eye, kidney and nerve diseases by approximately 33 percent.

Cholesterol:  Improved LDL cholesterol can reduce cardiovascular complications by 20-50 percent.

Eye Diseases:  Detecting and treating diabetic eye diseases with laser therapy can reduce the development of severe vision loss by an estimated 50-60 percent.

Foot Care:  Foot care programs can reduce amputation rates by 45-85 percent.

Kidney Care:  detecting and treating early kidney disease by lowering blood pressure can reduce the decline of kidney function by 30-70 percent.

These are all the latest and greatest diabetes facts and statistics. Now you know how many people have diabetes. You are not alone! We hoped you found them interesting, but probably a little disturbing as well.