November 2021 PSA: Diabetes

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month.

According to the American Diabetes Association approximately 466,638 people in Minnesota, or 10.5% of the adult population, have diabetes.

Of these, an estimated 126,000 have diabetes but don’t know it, greatly increasing their health risks such as heart disease, stroke, amputation, end-stage kidney disease, blindness – and death.

In addition, 1,407,000 people in Minnesota, 35.1% of the adult population, have prediabetes with blood glucose levels higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Every year an estimated 15,000 people in Minnesota are diagnosed with diabetes.

The main risk factor for Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes is family history.  Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include obesity, age 45 of older, family history and sedentary lifestyle.  Individuals of African American, Hispanic/Latino American, or American Indian heritage are at higher risk than Caucasians.

MAPA encourages you to discuss your personal risk with your PA or other health care provider and recommends the following resources for additional information.

What is diabetes? | CDC

Diabetes Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment | ADA

What is Diabetes? | NIDDK (nih.gov)