Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action or both. Diabetes is a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 25 million people have diabetes including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. The prevalence of diagnosed type 2 diabetes increased sixfold in the latter half of the last century. Diabetes risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity have played a major role in this dramatic increase. Age, race, ethnicity are also important risk factors. Diabetes disproportionately affects minority populations and the elderly, and its incidence is likely to increase as minority opulations grow and the US population becomes older. This disease can have a harmful effect on most of the organ systems in the human body; it is a frequent cause of end stage renal disease, non traumatic lower extremity amputation, and a leading cause of blindness among working age adults. Persons with diabetes are also at increased risk of ischemic heart disease, neuopathy, and stroke. In economic terms, the CDC estimates that direct medical expenditures attributable to diabetes is over $116 billion.

This indicator shows the age-adjusted death rate per 100,000 population due to diabetes.