Between 2012 and 2022, the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes rose by nearly 20% in the United States, according to a recent study from the University of Georgia.
The study indicated that all sociodemographic groups experienced a rise in diabetes cases. However, non-Hispanic Black individuals were among the most significantly impacted, with nearly 16% of Black participants reporting a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.
Among individuals aged 65 and older, over one in five had the disease. This age group was more than ten times more likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis compared to those aged 18 to 24. Additionally, those aged 45 to 64 were diagnosed over five times more often.
The findings also reveal a stark contrast in diabetes prevalence based on income levels; individuals with lower incomes had a notably higher rate of diabetes compared to those with higher incomes. In fact, people with higher incomes were 41% less likely to be diagnosed. Moreover, those with a college degree were 24% less likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis.
“Diabetes is increasingly prevalent in the U.S., and we anticipate further growth in the coming years,” stated Sulakshan Neupane, the study’s lead author and a doctoral student at UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “The cost of diabetes is around $412 billion, which includes medical expenses and indirect costs like lost productivity. This figure is substantial and is expected to grow as more individuals are diagnosed.”
South and Midwest Areas Particularly Affected by Diabetes
The researchers utilized information from the nationally representative Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a continuous health survey involving over 400,000 participants.
This same dataset was employed in a previous paper published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in April, which highlighted both the economic impact of Type 2 diabetes and the growing occurrence of the disease over the same timeframe as this current research.
Alongside various risk factors, the researchers also noted differences in diabetes rates across regions.
Specifically, the South and Midwest showed considerable increases in Type 2 diabetes cases, with Arkansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska reporting the highest growth from 2012 to 2022.
A total of ten states saw increases of 25% or more over the decade: Arkansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Texas, Alabama, Minnesota, Illinois, West Virginia, Delaware, and Massachusetts.
“These regions are at a heightened risk for developing diabetes, thus policymakers and public health officials need to prioritize efforts in these areas,” Neupane emphasized.
Overweight and Obese Individuals More Likely to Have Diabetes
Participants classified as overweight or obese were also more prone to report being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In 2022, approximately one in five obese individuals indicated they had the disease, while one in ten overweight participants reported having it.
Engagement in physical activity appeared to lower the risk of diabetes; active individuals showed a prevalence of less than 10%, compared to a rate nearing 19% among those who were inactive.
“Recognizing these risk factors and taking steps to reduce them is crucial,” Neupane stated. “Increasing physical activity, focusing on your health, and implementing dietary changes can significantly decrease the risk of diabetes, despite some unchangeable factors like age and race.”
This study, published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, was co-authored by Wojciech Florkowski from UGA’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, and Uttam and Chandra Dhakal of the CDC in Atlanta.
