1. DiabeteS 101: Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin, a hormone necessary to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy needed for body functions.
2. Costly disease: People with diagnosed diabetes have healthcare costs 2.3x higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes.
3. Liquid disadventage: Drinking one can of soda per day can raise your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 22%.
4. Silent killer: Diabetes can go undetected for a long time without symptoms. Many people first become aware after developing complications.
5. Common problem: It’s a proven fact that as many as 1 in 3 American adults will have diabetes by 2050.
6. By the numbers: An estimated 5.8 million Americans, or about 8.3% of the entire U.S. population, have diabetes.
7. Listen up: Hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes as those adults who don’t have it.
8. Gender inequality: Doctors have found that men whose testosterone levels are consistently low have been found to have a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
9. Fitness Matters: People with a lot of visceral fat are especially at risk.
10. Big complication: More than 60% of nondramatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes.
11. Heart Health: Those diagnosed with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 4x higher.
12. OTHER PROBLEMS: Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years old.
For more facts, stats and to find out how to get involved with American Diabetes Association, call 305.477.8999 or visit Diabetes.org.
