Blog Layout

Diabetes and Prediabetes

Tara Conway • March 12, 2022

CDC works to prevent type 2 diabetes and improve the health of all people with diabetes.

More than 34 million Americans have diabetes. Another 88 million US adults have prediabetes, a serious health condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. A person with prediabetes is at high risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.


Diabetes also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke and can lead to other serious complications, such as kidney failure, blindness, and amputation of a toe, foot, or leg.


People with diabetes spend more on health care, have fewer productive years, and miss more work days compared to people who don’t have diabetes. In 2017, the total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes was $327 billion, including $237 billion in direct medical costs and $90 billion in absenteeism, reduced productivity, and inability to work.


Some people are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes because they:

  • Are overweight or have obesity.
  • Are age 45 or older.
  • Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes.
  • Are physically active less than 3 times a week.
  • Had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or gave birth to a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds.
  • Are African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, or Asian American.


CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation is at the leading edge of the nation’s efforts to end the devastation of diabetes. The division works with other federal agencies; state, local, and tribal health departments; health care providers; and community and faith organizations to identify people with prediabetes, prevent type 2 diabetes, prevent diabetes complications, and improve the health of all people with diabetes. These efforts have helped millions of Americans reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes and prevent or delay serious diabetes complications.


The Nation’s Risk Factors and CDC’s Response


Some risk factors for type 2 diabetes can’t be modified, such as age and family history, but some can, such as having prediabetes, being overweight, eating unhealthy food, being inactive, and smoking. CDC works to help people reduce those modifiable risk factors so they can prevent or delay developing type 2 diabetes and improve their overall health.


RISK FACTOR

Prediabetes


Prediabetes is a serious health condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. A person with prediabetes is at high risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. More than 88 million US adults—1 in 3—have prediabetes, and 90% of them don’t know they have it.


CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is a public-private partnership working to build a nationwide system to deliver an affordable, evidence-based lifestyle change program proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Participants in the program learn to make healthy food choices, be more physically active, and find ways to cope with problems and stress. These lifestyle changes can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 58% (71% for those 60 or older).


In April 2018, the lifestyle change program became a covered service for Medicare beneficiaries with prediabetes. This is the first preventive service model from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation that has been expanded into the Medicare program—a landmark for public health.

CDC funds all 50 states, the District of Columbia, national organizations, and several large city health departments to:


  • Improve awareness of prediabetes among health care providers and people at risk.
  • Increase access to and enrollment in the National DPP lifestyle change program.
  • Increase coverage for the lifestyle change program among public and private payers and employers.
  • Improve screening and testing for prediabetes and refer people who are eligible to the lifestyle change program.

In 2016, CDC partnered with the American Diabetes Association, the American Medical Association, and the Ad Council to launch the first national prediabetes awareness campaign. The ongoing campaign’s humorous public service announcements encourage millions of people to find out their risk by taking a 1-minute test at DoIHavePrediabetes.org People at high risk are urged to ask their doctor for a simple blood test to confirm their results. The campaign website also provides links to sites nationwide that deliver the National DPP lifestyle change program.


RISK FACTOR

Overweight and Physical Inactivity


People who have overweight or obesity are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In the United States, nearly 74% of adults have overweight or obesity. Although diabetes incidence has decreased in recent years, the number of adults with diagnosed diabetes has nearly doubled in the last 2 decades as the US population has increased, aged, and become more overweight.


Not getting enough physical activity can raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. That’s because physical activity helps control blood sugar, weight, and blood pressure, as well as raise “good” cholesterol and lower “bad” cholesterol. It can also help people with diabetes prevent heart and blood flow problems, reducing the risk of heart disease and nerve damage. However, only 24% of adults and 16.5% of high school students meet the guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity.


CDC’s Response


CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity develops and shares proven approaches that make healthy living easier, which can help people reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes. For example, the division works with:


  • Hospitals to support breastfeeding mothers.
  • Early care and education (ECE) centers to promote healthy eating standards.
  • Workplaces to change policies so that employees have more healthy food choices.
  • Communities to promote improvements in equitable community design that make physical activity safe and convenient for all persons.



RISK FACTOR

Smoking


The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is 30% to 40% higher for current smokers than nonsmokers. Evidence shows that smoking is associated with increased belly fat, a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The more cigarettes a person smokes, the higher their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes who smoke are more likely than nonsmokers to have trouble managing their blood sugar.


People with diabetes who smoke also have higher risks of serious complications, such as heart disease, kidney disease, and poor blood flow in the legs and feet that can lead to infections, ulcers, and amputations. Other complications include retinopathy (eye disease that can cause blindness) and peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the arms and legs that causes numbness, pain, weakness, and poor coordination).

About 34 million US adults smoke cigarettes, and 58 million nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke.


CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health is at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to reduce deaths and prevent chronic diseases that result from smoking, including type 2 diabetes. CDC and its partners promote efforts to prevent young people from starting to smoke, create smoke-free worksites and public spaces, help smokers quit, and reduce health disparities for groups with higher rates of chronic diseases caused by smoking.


Since 2012, CDC has been educating the public about the consequences of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke and encouraging smokers to quit through its Tips From Former Smokers® (Tips®) education campaign. The Tips campaign features real people—not actors—who are living with serious health conditions caused by smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. It connects smokers with resources to help them quit, including a free national quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW).


Diabetes Complications and CDC’s Response


CDC strives to safeguard the health and improve the quality of life of all people with diabetes. Central to that effort is helping them prevent or reduce the severity of diabetes complications, including heart disease (the leading cause of early death among people with diabetes), kidney disease, blindness, and nerve damage that can lead to lower-limb amputations.


Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services help people meet the challenges of self-care by providing them with the knowledge and skills to deal with daily diabetes management: eating healthy food, being active, checking their blood sugar, and managing stress. These programs have been shown to reduce A1C levels (average blood sugar over the last 2 to 3 months), reduce the onset and severity of diabetes complications, improve quality of life, and lower health care costs.


Diabetes is about 17% more prevalent in rural areas than urban ones, but 62% of rural counties do not have a DSMES services. The use of telehealth (delivery of the program by phone, Internet, or videoconference) may allow more patients in rural areas to benefit from DSMES and the National DPP lifestyle change program. CDC funds state and local health departments to improve access to, participation in, and health benefit coverage for DSMES, with emphasis on programs that achieve Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (formerly the American Association of Diabetes Educators) accreditation or American Diabetes Association recognition. These programs meet national quality standards and may be more sustainable because of reimbursement eligibility.

Healthy Habits Start Early

By Tara Conway • May 12, 2022
Good eating habits begin early in your child’s life. As early as infancy, you can help your child grow lifelong healthy eating habits. You are your child’s best role model so while you help her to eat healthy, try to do the same too! Healthy Feeding and Eating For Your Infant It is important to breastfeed for at least 6 months. She will be more likely to have a healthy weight as she gets older. Put breast milk or formula, not cereal, in your baby’s bottle. Cereal adds extra calories that she doesn’t need. Try to wait until your baby is around 6 months to start healthy solid foods like pureed vegetables, jarred baby foods, and infant cereals. Starting solid foods too early can lead to problems with overweight and obesity later. Around 8 or 9 months try offering your baby small amounts of healthy finger foods like grilled chicken, cooked carrots, and cut up strawberries. This will help your baby learn to eat healthy. Breast milk, formula, and water are the best drink choices for your baby. Soda pop, 100% fruit juice, and sport drinks add extra calories to her diet and can harm her new teeth. For Your Toddler Offer your toddler healthy snacks like small cubes of cheese, sliced banana, or whole grain crackers two to three times per day. This will help him stay full in between meals and reduce hunger-related temper tantrums. Try to be patient with picky eaters. He may need to try a food 10 to 15 times over several months before he will eat it. Try giving your toddler a choice between two healthy options. He will be more likely to eat healthy food if he picks it out. Milk and water are the healthiest drink choices for your toddler. Soda pop, 100% fruit juice, and sport drinks add extra calories to his diet and can harm his teeth. For Your Preschooler Let your child help you in making healthy meals and snacks. She will be more likely to try healthy foods if she helps out. Try to keep your kitchen stocked with simple, healthy snacks like carrots, sliced apples and peanut butter, or string cheese. This will help you and your preschooler eat healthy, even on busy days. Milk and water are the healthiest drink choices for your preschooler. Soda pop, 100% fruit juice, and sport drinks add extra calories to her diet and can harm her teeth. For Yourself and Family Your child is learning healthy habits by watching you. Try to eat healthy too. S et playtime, mealtime, and bedtime routines to make day-to-day life less stressful.  Talk with your child’s doctor, Head Start staff, and other parents to get healthy eating tips

How to Help a Loved One With Diabetes When You Live Far Apart

By Tara Conway • March 12, 2022
Offer your support Managing diabetes is not easy, whether a person has just been diagnosed or has been living with diabetes for many years. Family support can help a person with diabetes manage everyday tasks and deal with changes in care over time. But if you live far away from your loved one with diabetes, you may worry about how you can help. Being prepared with the right information can help you provide support, even from a distance. This short guide offers tips that can help. Learn about diabetes. Learning about diabetes can help you understand what your family member is going through, find ways to help them prevent emergencies, and manage their health care. It can also make talking with your family member’s doctor easier. Here are some tips: Learn as much as you can about your loved one’s diabetes medicines, supplies, and equipment, including their blood sugar monitor and test strips. Go to Living with Diabetes to learn more about managing diabetes. See Resources for Everyone section for other ideas. Ask your loved one to teach you about how they are managing their diabetes and what kinds of support they may need. For example: Do they just need someone to check on them now and then? Do they need someone to take them to appointments or help make medical and financial decisions? Remember—it’s their health, so it’s up to them how much they want to share with you. Let them know that you’re there to support them if they need you. Gather information and keep in one place. Gather important information about your loved one’s health care, and keep it up to date. Put it in a place that is easy for your loved one or a caregiver to find. Keep copies for yourself. Here are the kinds of information you should collect: With your loved one’s consent, make sure that at least one family member or close friend gets written permission to receive medical and financial information from the doctor or hospital. Choose one person to talk with all health care providers, if possible. Write down the following medical information: Names and phone numbers of your loved one’s care team. Names and doses of your loved one’s medicines. Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts. Make sure your loved one or a caregiver knows how to contact you (or an emergency contact) in an emergency—but tell them to call 911 first. Create a list of resources in your loved one’s community (see the Resources for Everyone section for ideas). This list can include information about: Social support: Check with your loved one’s health care provider for support groups, social services, and other resources in the community. Financial support: Look for community discount programs for medicines, blood sugar monitors, diabetes education, nutrition assessment, and counseling. Practical support: Ask your loved one’s health care providers or diabetes care and education specialist if there is someone who can help them get supplies and learn to use equipment, if needed. Caregivers can also learn to use equipment. Find resources. Different kinds of organizations can help with different kinds of resources—like meal planning, diabetes care, diabetes camps for children, housekeeping, or emotional support. Here are some places to go for help: Local diabetes groups, senior centers, faith communities, and other community groups that provide support services. Your loved one’s health care provider may have a list of local services. You can also check the Resources for Everyone section for ideas. Local pharmacies. Many pharmacies offer individual and group counseling. Your loved one’s health insurance company or Medicare. Ask what diabetes education and support services are covered. For example, Medicare Part B covers a wide range of diabetes education and training. State health and social services. Look for information on the state government website where your loved one lives. Ask about community programs for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Your loved one may need a referral from a health care provider to get services from some organizations. You can help them work with their doctors to get what they need. Remind your loved one that asking for a referral to a diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) program might be helpful. To find a DSMES program recognized by the American Diabetes Association or accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, go to the Find a Diabetes Education Program in Your Area Plan Your Visits When you visit your loved one, you may worry that you don’t have enough time to do everything you want to. Talk with your loved one ahead of time about the kind of help they may need. You may feel less stressed if you can focus on a few important errands or chores during your visit. Research your company’s leave policies. Some companies allow sick leave to be used to care for a relative. Remember that your loved one may need help with things like home cleaning and repairs, shopping, or other tasks that are not directly related to their health. Check with your loved one or a caregiver to learn what medical care they may need. This information will help you set clear, realistic goals for your visit. For example: Do they need to see specialists, such as a foot doctor (podiatrist) or eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist)? Do they need more testing supplies? Try to make time to do things that are fun and relaxing with your loved one. Suggest taking a walk together. Offer to play a game of cards or a board game. Stay in touch. From time to time, ask your loved one how they are coping with their diabetes and how you can help. With your loved one’s permission, try to find people in the community—like other family members, friends, or neighbors—who can visit and provide support if needed. Check in regularly with the people who are providing care to your loved one. Find out how they are coping and how you can help them.
Share by: