The Y can help you prevent the onset of diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes blood sugar levels to rise higher than normal. It affects more than 29 million people nationwide.
A condition called prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
More than 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes has no cure, but prediabetes can be reversed.
Chances are you know at least one person with diabetes and probably more than one with prediabetes. To find out if you're at risk, take this quick test. Then share the test with friends and family.
Diabetes programs
Diabetes affects households everywhere in America, especially households who are financially struggling.
The Y wants to help. We offer three diabetes prevention programs, in English and in Spanish, at no charge to the public.
Diabetes in the U.S.
- Diabetes affects 29.1 million people in the United States, 8.1 million of whom are undiagnosed.
- Fewer than 11% of the Americans affected by prediabetes actually know it.
- People with prediabetes are likely to develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless action is taken to prevent or delay the disease.
- Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death.
- Medical expenses for people with diabetes are 2.3 times greater than those without.
- Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people age 20-74.
- People with diabetes are at greater risk for nerve damage, dental disease, lower limb amputation, depression, and complications during pregnancy.
Diabetes in our region
- North Carolina is ranked 13th highest for adult diabetes prevalence.
- At 12.6%, residents in western North Carolina have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than other regions in the state.
- In McDowell County, 10.6% of the population are diabetic and another 7.8% are prediabetic.
- In Henderson County, 9.3% of the population have type 2 diabetes and another 6% qualify as prediabetic.
- In Buncombe County, 11.8% of the population have type 2 diabetes and another 6.7% have prediabetes.