According to the CDC, 37.3 million people have diabetes in the U.S. and 23% are undiagnosed20. Diabetes is a chronic life-long disease characterized by high blood sugar resulting in the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. It is the number one cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations and adult blindness21.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease affecting between 90-95% of those diagnosed with diabetes22. It may be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle changes such as losing weight, eating healthy foods, and being active.
As of 2019, 1 in 12 people in Owen County have been diagnosed with diabetes and males have slightly higher rates of diabetes diagnoses than females.
Risks for Pre-Diabetes and type 2 diabetes23
- Overweight
- 45 and older
- Parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes
- Physically active less than 3x/week
- Had gestational diabetes
- African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Asian American