Type 2 Diabetes on the Rise in U.S.

ATLANTAIncidence of type 2 diabetes in the United States has increased an average of 82% from 1995 to 2010, according to new data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC looked at age-adjusted prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the United States and Puerto Rico over the time period, and saw increases of more than 50% in 42 states and more that 100% in 18 states. The greatest increase was seen in Oklahoma, which posted a 226% increase in the age-adjusted prevalence over the 15-year time period.  The overall median increase between the states and Puerto Rico was 82.2%; the Southern states had the largest increase in prevalence, an age-adjust median increase greater than 100%. The next largest increase was seen in the West with a median increase of 82.5% followed by Midwest states having a 66.7% increase with the lowest increase of 62.2% in the Northeast.

In an editorial note accompanying the CDC's report, the authors noted, "Increasing incidence might be the result of many factors, including changes in diagnostic criteria, enhanced detection of undiagnosed diabetes, demographic changes in the U.S. population (e.g., aging of the population and growth of minority populations who are at greater risk for diabetes), an increase in the prevalence of risk factors for the development of diabetes (e.g., obesity and sedentary lifestyle). Although the contribution of each factor to increasing diabetes incidence cannot be discerned, the increase in diabetes prevalence coincides with the increase in obesity prevalence across the United States."

Continuing to monitor the prevalence and incidence of diabetes along with its risk factors and prevention efforts is a crucial measure in reducing the prevalence of diabetes in the United States. The CDC implements strategies targeting the whole diabetes population as well as high risk groups; an implementation necessary to reverse the trend of increasing diabetes prevalence in the United States. One implemented example is the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, which is a public-private partnership between community organizations such as private insurers, employees, health care organizations, and government agencies. The common goal in the program is to prevent or delay the progression of type 2 diabetes in high risk individuals. In its report, the CDC noted the importance of and supports the implementation of nationwide programs promoting the prevention of type 2 diabetes by encouraging  modest weight loss, healthy nutritional practices, and increase physical activity to individuals at high risk for diabetes.