Diabetes Diagnosis & Awareness...

by Abigail Knowles Wolfe (BPRW)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define diabetes as a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from deficiencies in insulin production, insulin action or both. Insulin is a hormone with intensive effects on metabolism and several other bodily systems. The CDC has tabulated national diabetes statistics from 2007 to report that 24 million people nationwide are now affected, an increase of 3 million from the previous year’s statistics.

Awareness is vital in preventing and treating diabetes as the disease can lead to premature death if not treated properly. According to the CDC’s June 2008 report, of the 24 million or so people with diabetes, around 18 million have been diagnosed while more than five and a half million remain undiagnosed. When considering people with diabetes as a whole however, the number who do not realize that they have it has decreased from 30% to 25%.

Black Americans account for a national rate of diagnosis close to 12% while Native Americans and Alaska Natives have the highest rate in the country with 16.5% prevalence. Therefore the rate of prevalence for Black Americans is second only to the aforementioned group. While the numbers published this year may seem shocking, the upside is the increased diagnosis and awareness that comes from such discovery. Self-management of insulin levels alongside the treatment and care of medical professionals helps people with diabetes live wonderfully fulfilling lives in the face of their disease.