November Is American Diabetes Month

November Is American Diabetes Month
Weekly
October 29, 2010 / 59(42);1361

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), nontraumatic lower-extremity amputations (LEAs), and new cases of blindness among adults in the United States, and a major cause of heart disease and stroke (1). However, persons with diabetes, together with their support network, can take steps to control the disease and minimize the risk for complications (1).

Although rates of diabetes-related complications (e.g., ESRD and LEAs) have declined (2), the number of persons in the United States with diabetes is projected to double or triple by 2050 if current trends in diabetes prevalence continue (3). However, among adults at risk for type 2 diabetes, weight loss and physical activity can prevent or delay its onset (4).

CDC and state and territorial diabetes prevention and control programs are working with public and private partners to improve outcomes for persons with diabetes and to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes. CDC's National Diabetes Prevention Program is supporting the nationwide implementation of community-based lifestyle programs, beginning in 17 U.S. communities (4). Resources on family history and gestational diabetes are available at http://www.yourdiabetesinfo.orgExternal Web Site Icon, and information about diabetes is available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes.

References

1. CDC. National diabetes fact sheet: general information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2007. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2008. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf Adobe PDF file. Accessed October 27, 2010.
2. Gregg EW, Albright AL. The public health response to diabetes---two steps forward, one step back. JAMA 2009;301:1596--8.
3. Boyle JP, Thompson TJ, Gregg EW, Barker LE, Williamson DF. Projection of the year 2050 burden of diabetes in the US adult population: dynamic modeling of incidence, mortality, and prediabetes prevalence. Popul Health Metr 2010;8:29 [Epub ahead of print].
4. Ackermann RT, Finch EA, Brizendine E, Zhou H, Marrero DG. Translating the Diabetes Prevention Program into the community: the DEPLOY Pilot Study. Am J Prev Med 2008;35:357--63.

November Is American Diabetes Month