Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.
- More than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes.
- In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of high blood sugar.
- More than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- WHO projects that diabetes deaths will double between 2005 and 2030.
- Healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
In the United States, nearly 26 million children and adults – that’s 8.3 percent of the population – have diabetes. It affects the young, old and everyone in between. It’s a disease that costs the U.S. $174 billion each year. But, many people (about 7 million) don’t even know that they have diabetes. And this costs us too. Not only is it hurting the health of millions, but undiagnosed diabetes costs around $18 billion each year.
It’s not getting much better either. In 2010, 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people 20 years of age and older. And the complications of diabetes are serious – heart disease and stroke, hypertension, blindness, kidney disease, amputation, complications in pregnancy and depression are just a few. But there are ways to fight diabetes. Living a healthier lifestyle can help prevent type 2 diabetes and using the resources, services and tools available can help you manage your diabetes and live well
