Key Facts

• 347 million people worldwide have diabetes* (1).
• Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people of similar age but without diabetes
• $174 billion direct medical and indirect costs in the U.S, 2007 (2)
• Complications and symptoms of diabetes in the U.S.
  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Hypertension
  • Blindness and eye problems
  • Kidney disease
  • Nervous system (slowed digestion of food in the stomach, impaired sensation or pain in the feet or hands, carpal tunnel syndrome)
  • Lower-limb Amputations
  • Dental disease (periodontal disease)
  • Complications of pregnancy
  • Biochemical imbalances: diabetic ketoacidosis

*Definition of diabetes used for estimates: fasting glucose >=7.0 mmol/L or on medication

More information coming soon!

References

National Diabetes Fact Sheet 2011.

(1) Danaei G, Finucane MM, Lu Y, Singh GM, Cowan MJ, Paciorek CJ et al. National, regional, and global trends in fasting plasma glucose and diabetes prevalence since 1980: systematic analysis of health examination surveys and epidemiological studies with 370 country-years and 2.7 million participants. Lancet, 2011, 378(9785):31–40.

(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20.

Disclaimer: The information contained in the links above does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Diabetes National Institute. The materials provides is not for medical advice about anyone's specific health or needs.  Only your doctor can advise you about your specific condition.