- Diabetes is a common chronic medical condition characterized by increased levels of blood sugar.
- The number of people with diabetes rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. (WHO)
- Approximately 38 million Americans, which is roughly 1 in 10 individuals, are affected by diabetes (CDC).
- About 1.4 million people in the United States are currently dealing with type 1 diabetes (The International Diabetes Foundation).
- In 2021 about 2 million Americans were diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (American Diabetes Association).
- Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 diabetes.
- Type 2 Diabetes accounts for more than 90% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in the United States (Cleveland Clinic).
- Diabetes is more common in men than in women (The Lancet).
- In 2021, diabetes ranked as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, identified as the underlying cause in 103,294 death certificates (American Diabetes Association).
- About 1 in 8 adults will test positive to diabetes by 2025 (international diabetes foundation).
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (sugar). It occurs when the body either doesn't produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar) or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes: This type is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections for the rest of their lives. It is not preventable and usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.
Type 2 Diabetes: This type is more common and often related to lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity. In Type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or becomes resistant to its effects. It is often managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, and sometimes insulin.
Complications of Diabetes
Diabetes, when not well-managed, can lead to several serious health complications, including:
- Cardiovascular Issues
- Kidney Damage (Nephropathy)
- Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)
- Eye Problems (Retinopathy)
- Foot Problems
- Skin Conditions
- Complications During Pregnancy
How many people in the world have diabetes?
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 422 million people across the globe have diabetes. Most of them reside in low- and middle-income countries, and each year, 1.5 million deaths are directly linked to diabetes. The instances of diabetes and its prevalence have been consistently rising over the last few decades. Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that approximately 38 million Americans, which is roughly 1 in 10 individuals, are affected by diabetes.
According to statistics published by the American Diabetes Association for the year 2021, diabetes affected 38.4 million Americans, comprising 11.6% of the population. Among them, approximately 2 million Americans live with type 1 diabetes, with around 304,000 being children and adolescents.
Diabetes statistics by type
The International Diabetes Foundation shares that over 1.4 million people in the United States are currently dealing with type 1 diabetes. Interestingly, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada have high numbers of cases despite their smaller populations.
Type 1 diabetes can start at any age, but it typically begins during childhood or adolescence. According to the International Diabetes Foundation, about 61 percent of those living with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. are between 20 and 59 years old, 28 percent are over 60, and approximately 12 percent are 20 or younger. This highlights that type 1 diabetes affects people of different ages, with a significant portion being adults in their middle years.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1. According to Cleveland Clinic out of the 37 million individuals in the U.S. affected by diabetes, about 90% to 95% are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Globally, researchers estimate that T2D impacts around 6.3% of the world's population. While T2D typically occurs in adults over 45, it can also affect individuals under 45, including children. This highlights the widespread nature of T2D and its potential impact on a broad age range.
Diabetes statistics by gender
Research shows that diabetes is more common in men than in women. Globally, about 17.7 million more men than women are living with diabetes. When it comes to type 2 diabetes, women often face more risk factors, particularly related to their weight, like obesity. Additionally, stress related to mental and emotional well-being may play a bigger role in the risk of diabetes for women. This highlights the importance of addressing both physical and emotional aspects when considering diabetes risk and management in women.
Diabetes statist by age
Type 2 diabetes is more common in seniors that other ages while type 1 diabetes is more common in adults between 18-22 years.
Number of deaths caused by diabetes
In 2021, diabetes ranked as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, identified as the underlying cause in 103,294 death certificates. A total of 399,401 death certificates listed diabetes as a contributing factor to the cause of death during that year.
Future projections for diabetes
By 2025 information from the International Diabetes Foundation shows that 1 in 8 adults, or about 783 million people will be living with diabetes. This is an estimated 46% increase from the present number of people with diabetes.
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Sources
Diabetes (World Health Organization). https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes?gclid=CjwKCAiA1-6sBhAoEiwArqlGPtQSCx7g3Y0Mhsr0CS7sqM6L9kmGmerhf2mTNUVh02Ze9dydWtynGhoC7fgQAvD_BwE#tab=tab_1. Accessed 1/8/2024.
American Diabetes Association; Diabetes statistics. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes. Accessed 1/8/2024.
Kautzky-Willer, A., Leutner, M. & Harreiter, J. Sex differences in type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia 66, 986–1002 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-023-05891-x
Diabetes (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html#:~:text=About%2038%20million%20Americans%20have,adults%20are%20also%20developing%20it. Accessed 1/8/2024.
