Diabetes, a chronic condition where the body fails to produce insulin and properly break down blood sugar, afflicts around 21 million Americans, including six million who are unaware that they are diabetics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said.
In percentages, this figure means around seven per cent of Americans are living with diabetes. “Another 41 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, as well as heart disease and stroke,” a report, called the National Diabetes Fact Sheet, released by the CDC said.
The fact sheet has been drawn up with support from US Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and The American Diabetes Association, among other associations and bodies.
“This study confirms what we already know: diabetes is one of this country's most prolific and deadly diseases. Diabetes touches all of us in some way, which is why we must continue to work together to find a cure for diabetes and to improve the lives of the nearly 21 million Americans affected by diabetes,” said Robert A Rizza, president of the American Diabetes Association, a group working towards diabetes research and awareness.
According to the report, about 21 per cent of Americans above the age of 60 are suffering from the chronic disorder. Among those between the ages of 40 to 59 years, the disease has an occurrence rate of 10 per cent.
In the last two year, the number of cases has grown by 14 per cent, from 18.2 million in 2003. The report added that in 2005, around 1.5 million people above the age of 20 years would be diagnosed with the condition. At greater risk are races like American-Indians, non-Hispanic blacks, Hispanic- and Latino-Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The disease, which is caused by obesity, lack of physical activity, and heredity, leads to several other conditions like cardiac ailments. “Diabetes is a leading cause of adult blindness, lower-limb amputation, kidney disease and nerve damage.
Two-thirds of people with diabetes die from a heart attack or stroke,” said Dr Frank Vinicor, director of the National Diabetes Education Program at CDC. Rising instances of obesity and excess weight have contributed to increase in diabetes cases, which are taking a heavy toll on the state exchequer.
About US$ 92 billion is spent on the treatment of conditions arising from the disease. In addition, around US$ 40 billion is lost annually as patients' productivity suffers on account of workplace leaves.
According to the CDC, the key lies in prevention and not cure of the disease. “Recent studies have shown that people with pre-diabetes can successfully prevent or delay the onset of diabetes by losing 5 per cent to 7 per cent of their body weight. This can be accomplished through 30 minutes or more of physical activity most days of the week and by following a low calorie, low fat eating plan, including a diet rich in whole grains and fruits and vegetables,” CDC's Vinicor said.
Included in the above statistics are 2 million Americans suffering from juvenile or type 1 diabetes, in which the body kills insulin-producing pancreatic cells. According to the CDC, the release of the report comes before the National Diabetes Month, which will be celebrated in November.
