Diabetes Statistics Show Startling Trends
Diabetes
is being referred to as an epidemic, and when you review
diabetes statistics, it’s easy to understand why.
In 1990, less than 5 percent of the U.S. population had
diabetes, and now that figure is up to 7 percent, an increase
of 40 percent. Unfortunately, other diabetes statistics
paint an even bleaker picture.
It
is estimated that there are almost 21 million people in
the United States with diabetes, and more than 6 million
of those are undiagnosed, probably because the signs
of diabetes are often gradual, making them difficult
to recognize. Here are some further U.S. diabetes statistics
which show startling trends:
- Over
the age of 20, 9.6 percent have diabetes.
- Over
the age of 60, 20.9 percent have diabetes.
- 10.5
percent of men over 20 have diabetes.
- 8.8
percent of women over 20 have diabetes.
- Diabetes
is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States.
- People
with diabetes have a 2 to 4 times higher risk of stroke.
- Diabetes
accounts for 44 percent of kidney failures and is the
leading cause of kidney failure.
- In
2002, the direct and indirect cost of diabetes in the
United States was $132 billion.
If
present diabetes statistics continue, one-third of Americans,
including one-half of minorities in America, born in the
year 2000 will develop diabetes at some point in their lifetime.
Considering these diabetes statistics, anyone who has symptoms
and/or risk factors for diabetes should consider diabetes
testing as soon as possible. In more than half the cases,
type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by adopting
a healthier lifestyle.
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