This indicator, or population measure, is part of our Healthy Vermonters 2030 data set. Read more about how this data helps us understand and improve the well-being of people in Vermont on the Healthy Vermonters 2030 webpage.

Because these data are meant to show how the health of our state changes during the decade from 2020-2030, some indicators may have very few data points for now. Keep checking back to see the progress our public health system and partners are making.

By 2030 we want to see the rate of death among adults with diabetes to be at or below 137 per 100,000 Vermonters. As we are able to report more data into the decade we will see whether this rate is in fact trending upward long-term.

Looking for more data?

• See the related national Healthy People 2030 objective for reducing the rate of death among adults with diabetes.

Preventing new cases of diagnosed diabetes is a Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicator. It is a high priority objective to drive action toward improving overall health and well-being.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes is the most expensive chronic condition in the United States. 38 million people of all ages have diabetes, and diabetes complications are worsening in increasingly younger populations. Data show that Effective blood sugar management can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, such as kidney disease and nerve disease, by 40% and can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by 33% to 50%.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 38.4 million people of all ages—or 11.6% of the U.S. population—had diabetes.

Additionally, social determinants of health are the conditions in places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect their health risks and outcomes. Together, these account for 50% to 60% of health outcomes and are a key contributor to disparities in health and health care.

The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) Diabetes Program is working with the CDC Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) to end health disparities in groups at higher risk of type 2 diabetes or diabetes complications. VDH and DDT work together to implement strategies, and support populations by recognizing and reflecting their unique cultures, languages, customs, traditions, foods, and physical activity practices.

The Vermont Department of Health Diabetes Program oversees, promotes, and markets the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) as part of the MyHealthyVT campaign.

National data indicate that diabetes education programs are underutilized. This is also the case in Vermont where the free My Healthy Vermont Workshops are underutilized.

In 2021, the Diabetes Program and the Vermont Blueprint for Health partnered to improve the administration of My Healthy Vermont to ensure program quality and access. Enrollment numbers have since begun to climb. Current partnerships are also focusing on provider awareness and referral strategies in addition to general promotion.

Existing in addition to DPP and DSMES, Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is a cost-effective tool that has been proven to help improve health behaviors and health outcomes for people with diabetes. National standards exist as do processes for accreditation and recognition. Despite known benefits, DSMES remains largely under-utilized due to several barriers, including cost, administrative burden, staffing, and lack of awareness. In 2023, the Diabetes Program lunched a statewide Diabetes Self Management Education and Support (DSMES) workgroup. The workgroup brings together partners representing healthcare, community organizations, individuals with diabetes, and individuals and organizations representing underserved populations to strategize opportunities to expand DSMES availability, inclusivity, and participation.

In 2023, the Diabetes Program contracted with Professional Data Analysts (PDA) to facilitate a process to develop a Diabetes State Plan (State Plan). The State Plan is a strategic document that details the goals, objectives, and priority strategies to guide the State’s diabetes prevention and care work. It is intended to provide strategic direction to public and private sector programs, organizations and agencies working on diabetes prevention, care and management in Vermont.

Rate of deaths is per 100,000 Vermont adults.  

Vermont diabetes-related mortality data come from the Vermont Department of Health Vital Statistics System.

These data describe deaths of Vermonters occurring in- and out-of-state. Diabetes-related deaths include all deaths where diabetes was an underlying, or primary, cause of death as well as those where diabetes was a contributing cause of death among residents 18 years or older at the time of their death. Diabetes as a cause of death is determined using Internal classification of Disease, 10^th revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes exclusively.

See the Diabetes Surveillance page for more in-depth and routinely updated data on diabetes in Vermont.