A Snapshot: Diabetes In The United States

Diabetes

37 million people have diabetes

That’s about 1 in every 10 people

1 in 5 don’t know they have diabetes

Prediabetes

96 million adults – more than 1 in 3  – have prediabetes

More than 8 in 10 adults don’t know they have prediabetes

If you have prediabetes, losing weight by eating healthy and being more active can cut your risk of getting type 2 diabetes in half.

Cost

$327 billion total medical costs and lost work and wages for people with diagnosed diabetes.

Risk of early death for adults with diabetes is 60% higher than for adults without diabetes.

Medical costs for people with diabetes are more than twice as high as for people without diabetes.

People who have diabetes are at higher risk of serious health complications:

  • blindness
  • kidney failure
  • heart disease
  • stroke
  • loss of toes, feet, or legs

Common Types of Diabetes

Type 1

Body doesn’t make enough insulin

  • Can develop at any age
  • No known way to prevent it

In adults, type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5-10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Just over 18,000 youth diagnosed each year in 2014 and 2015

Type 2

Body can’t use insulin properly:

  • Can develop at any age
  • Most cases can be prevented

In adults, type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

More than 6,000 youth diagnosed each year in 2014 and 2015.

1.4 million people 18 years or older diagnosed with diabetes in 2019.

Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes:

  • being overweight
  • having a family history
  • being physically inactive
  • being 45 and older

What can you do?

You can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes

  • lose weight if needed
  • eat healthy
  • be more active

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention or speak to your doctor.

You can manage diabetes

  • with with a health professional
  • eat healthy
  • stay active

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing or speak to your doctor.

 
Page last reviewed: February 18, 2020