A latest report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that more than 29 million American have diabetes and 1 in 4 does not even know it.
The latest statistics show a rise in diabetics in the last four years. In 2010, 26 million people were diagnosed with the disease. The current statistics translate in to 9.3 percent of the population.
The report also showed that another 86 million, a third of the adult population, have high chances of developing diabetes and can be easily categorized as pre-diabetics. The officials at CDC warned that without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15 to 30 percent people with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
"These new numbers are alarming and underscore the need for an increased focus on reducing the burden of diabetes in our country," Ann Albright, Ph.D., director of CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation said in a statement. "Diabetes is costly in both human and economic terms. It's urgent that we take swift action to effectively treat and prevent this serious disease."
The researchers examined the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014 (based on health data from 2012).
Diabetes can be controlled through physical activity, diet, and appropriate use of insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels. Moreover, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and tobacco abuse must be managed, researchers say.
In 2012, diabetes and complications related to it accounted for $245 billion in total medical costs and lost work and wages. This figure is up from $174 billion in 2007.
"If we want to reduce the overall burden of diabetes in our nation, we have to focus on preventing diabetes in the first place," said Edward Gregg, chief of the CDC's Epidemiology and Statistics Branch, Division of Diabetes Translation, reports Reuters.
