Abstract from America's Health Rankings

Diabetes

U.S. Value: 10.6%

Healthiest States: Alaska, Colorado: 7.6%

Least-healthy State: West Virginia: 15.7%

Definition: Percentage of adults who reported being told by a health professional that they have diabetes (excluding prediabetes and gestational diabetes)

Data Source & Year(s): CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2020

Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2022.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

Diabetes was the nation’s seventh-leading cause of death in 2019, accounting for 87,647 deaths annually. Those with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than those without diabetes. There are three types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational (diabetes while pregnant). Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90%-95% of all cases. 

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower-limb amputations and blindness among adults. In 2018, 34.1 million adults were estimated to have diabetes, 26.8 million of which were diagnosed and 7.3 million were undiagnosed. 

Direct medical costs and lost productivity attributable to diagnosed diabetes was estimated to be $327 billion in 2017.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The prevalence of diabetes among adults is higher in:

• Men compared with women.
• American Indian/Alaska Native, Black and Hispanic adults compared with white and Asian adults.
• Adults ages 25 and older with less than a high school education compared with those with higher education levels; prevalence decreases as educational attainment increases.
• Adults ages 25 and older with a household income less than $25,000 than those with higher income levels.
• Adults ages 45 and older compared with adults ages 18-44; prevalence is highest among adults ages 65 and older.

GOALS

Healthy People 2030 has 15 diabetes-related objectives, including reducing the number of diabetes cases diagnosed yearly and increasing the proportion of people with diabetes who get formal diabetes education.

Source: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/Diabetes/state/IN.%20%20LAST%20ACCESSED%20JUNE%202022  Last Accessed 9/16/2022

Abstract from America's Health Rankings

WHAT WORKS?

Diabetes is an ideal target for prevention strategies as it is a major risk factor for other serious chronic conditions, and can be managed through a combination of lifestyle modifications and health care interventions. Type 2 diabetes is influenced by risk factors that are amenable to change such as smoking, overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Studies show that the onset of Type 2 diabetes can largely be prevented through weight loss as well as increasing physical activity and improving dietary choices. 

The National Diabetes Prevention Program, a partnership of public and private organizations working to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes. The program includes an evidence-based lifestyle change program that focuses on healthy eating and physical activity. Through the program, people with prediabetes reduced their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58%. 

Diabetes management is critical to prevent complications from the disease. Diabetes may be managed through a healthy diet, physical activity as well as insulin or oral diabetes medicines. 

More information on diabetes prevention and management can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website as well as through the American Diabetes Association. 

Source: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/Diabetes/state/IN.%20%20LAST%20ACCESSED%20JUNE%202022  Last Accessed 9/16/2022

https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/diabetes/diabetesatlas-surveillance.html#   Last accessed 06/14/2022.

Adults Aged 18+ Years