Diabetes Facts

• 24 million Americans have diabetes (8% of the U.S. population). 
• Another 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes.
• 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. 
• 1.6 million new cases each year 
•  U.S. spends $174 billion each year on diabetes 
•  $116 billion in direct medical cost

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is the most common metabolic disease marked by high blood sugar levels resulting from defects in insulin action (insulin resistance) and insulin production. Diabetes affects more than 250 million people in the world.

What causes diabetes and what happens if I don’t control diabetes?

Diabetes is closely associated with obesity, and both metabolic disorders can lead to serious complications involving heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, amputation, dental disease, and complications of pregnancy that affect the quality of life and contribute to premature death.