Diabetes Facts

Diabetes is group of chronic diseases that involve problems in the regulation of blood sugar. Diabetes is categorized into Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Both result from the body's inability to either produce or respond adequately to insulin.

Diabetes is a real, increasing, and potent threat to the health of communities across the country. Here are some quick facts about the disease:

• According to the American Diabetes Association, roughly 30 million people, children and adults, have diabetes in the United States. 95% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, condition that interferes with the body’s ability to produce insulin and regulate blood sugar.
• Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
• According to the Texas Department of Health in 2001, more than 7 percent of people in Dallas County have diabetes, a rate that’s higher than the national or state average.
• Diabetes is more common among African Americans and Hispanics than among Caucasians.
• Left untreated, diabetes can cause severe and irreversible damage to nearly every organ in the body.
• Diabetes greatly increases a person’s chances of developing heart disease and suffering a stroke, if left unmanaged.
• Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness among adults aged 20 to 74, and a leading overall cause of amputations and physical disability.
• Careful treatment and close management can greatly reduce the risks of diabetes.

Learn more about diabetes in the online diabetes health library.