What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes is an incurable disease that affects the way the body uses food. Diabetes causes glucose levels in the blood to be too high. Normally, during digestion the body changes sugars, starches, and other foods into a form of sugar called glucose. Glucose is carried to the body's cells and, with the help of insulin (a hormone), is converted into energy. In healthy people blood glucose levels are kept within normal ranges by proper insulin function.

People develop type 2 diabetes because the cells in the muscles, liver, and fat do not use insulin properly. As a result, the amount of sugar in the blood increases, while the cells are starved of energy. Over time, high blood sugar damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, gum infections, and amputation.

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Prevented?

Yes. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a major clinical research study, found that moderate diet and exercise that results in 5 to 7 percent weight loss can delay and possibly prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

• More about preventing Type 2 Diabetes

I Have Heard the Term "Pre-Diabetes". What is it?

Pre-diabetes simply means that one is at risk for getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease. If your blood sugar level is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range, then you have pre-diabetes. The good news is you can reduce the risk of getting diabetes and even return to normal blood sugar levels. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.

How much does diabetes cost the nation?

• Total health care and related costs for the treatment of diabetes run about $174 billion annually.
• Of this total, direct medical costs (e.g., hospitalizations, medical care, treatment supplies) account for about $116 billion.
• The other $58 billion covers indirect costs such as disability payments, time lost from work, and premature death.

African-Americans

African-Americans are twice as likely, on average, to have diabetes as whites, and the prevalence of diabetes is even greater among African-American women.

African-Americans with diabetes are also more likely to experience complications from the disease. As of 2007, 3.7 million (14.7%) of all non-Hispanic African-Americans ages 20 and older have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.

Hispanic and Latino Americans

On average, Hispanics are 1.4 times as likely to have diabetes as whites. Mexican-Americans, the largest Hispanic subgroup, are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as whites. As of 2007, 2.3 million Hispanic adults (10.4% of the adult population) have diabetes.

Diabetes is more prevalent in older Hispanics with the highest rates in Hispanics 65 and older.