Trends

In the U.S. in 2005, 20.8 million people of all ages or 7 percent of the population had diabetes. Of those, 14.6 million were diagnosed and 6.2 million

By HomeCare Staff

March 1, 2007

In the U.S. in 2005, 20.8 million people of all ages — or 7 percent of the population — had diabetes. Of those, 14.6 million were diagnosed and 6.2 million were undiagnosed.
Diabetes was the sixth leading cause of death listed on U.S. death certificates in 2002.
Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people without diabetes of similar age.
Heart disease and stroke account for about 65 percent of deaths in people with diabetes.
The risk for stroke is two to four times higher among people with diabetes.
Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years.
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, accounting for 44 percent of new cases in 2002.
More than 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
Studies in the U.S. and abroad have found that improved glycemic control benefits people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Blood pressure control reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart disease or stroke) among people with diabetes by 33 to 50 percent.
— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention