DIABETES:  A NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC

Diabetes is becoming more widespread in the United States each year.  With an estimated 17 million people in the United States diagnosed with diabetes, almost everyone knows at least one person who has this serious, lifelong condition. 

Fast Facts About Diabetes

-         1 million new cases each year in people over the age of 20 in the US 

-         One-third of diabetics are undiagnosed

-         Diabetes was the 6^th leading cause of death in the US in 1999

-         Diabetes kills more people every year than AIDS or breast cancer

-         Greater than 450,000 deaths occur each year among people with diabetes aged 25 years and older

-         Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults 20-74 years old

-         Diabetes is the leading cause of treated end-stage renal disease

-         People with diabetes have the same cardiovascular risk as if they have already had a heart attack

-         Over 80,000 amputations are performed each year among people with diabetes

Everyone should be screened for diabetes!

Below is a list of some of the high-risk factors of diabetes:

          -     Being more than 20% above your ideal body weight

          -     Having a family member with diabetes

          -     Having blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg

          -     Having abnormal blood lipid levels (cholesterol)

          -     Having abnormal glucose tolerance when tested for diabetes

Do you know your status?