How Arizonans are Doing in Cases of Diabetes
Prevalence of Diabetes is measured by the percent of Arizonans who reported they have been told by a healthcare professional that they have diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body has high levels of blood sugar, or blood glucose. When the body doesn't produce enough insulin or can't use insulin properly, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy. There are multiple types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problem.
Over 30 million Americans have diabetes, and it is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. In the past 20 years, the CDC reports that the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has tripled.
Public health officials have increased their focus on the roles that physical activity and obesity play in their strong correlation with diabetes among youth. While type 1 diabetes is most often an inherited condition related to a defect of the pancreas, type 2 accounts for 90% of diagnosed cases of diabetes in the U.S. Generally, type 2 diabetes is preventable and, in some cases, can be reversed with a change in lifestyle, including changing diet and increasing physical activity.
Why Would Reducing Diabetes Cases Matter?
Reducing diabetes cases in Arizona is vital for improving public health, cutting healthcare costs, addressing health disparities, and enhancing quality of life. Diabetes can lead to severe health complications. Reducing diabetes rates would help prevent life-threatening conditions, improve long-term health outcomes, and overall reduce the burden diabetes can cause for residents and the healthcare system.
Diabetes data are updated annually and are available for the nation, states, and counties.