MONDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of diabetes in the United States rose more than 3 million in roughly two years, according to data released June 24 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, which the CDC and other federal agencies developed, nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, and another estimated 57 million have pre-diabetes, which puts them at increased risk of the condition.
Adjusted rates of diagnosed diabetes were highest in Native Americans and Alaska Natives (16.5 percent), blacks (11.8 percent) and Hispanics (10.4 percent). Rates in Asian Americans and whites were 7.5 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively. In a more positive development, according to the updated prevalence estimates, the proportion of those with diabetes who don't know they have the disease dropped from 30 percent to 25 percent.
"It is concerning to know that we have more people developing diabetes, and these data are a reminder of the importance of increasing awareness of this condition, especially among people who are at high risk. On the other hand, it is good to see that more people are aware that they have diabetes. That is an indication that our efforts to increase awareness are working, and more importantly, that more people are better prepared to manage this disease and its complications," said Ann Albright, Ph.D., director of the CDC Division of Diabetes Translation, in an accompanying statement.
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