Diabetes is a (group of) disease in which issues with insulin production, how it

works, or a combination of the two can cause serious complications. As the

seventh leading cause of death in the United States, a massive health
deterrent, and cost to the country it is a very important public health concern.
Diabetes may develop or be diagnosed in two types. Type 1, or insulin-
dependent as it was previously known, is a result of beta cell destruction that
eliminates or limits insulin production and accounts for 5% of diagnosed cases.
Type 2, or non-insulin- dependent diabetes as it was previously known, is a
result of the body becoming insulin resistant and not using insulin properly
and accounts for 90-95% of diagnosed cases. There are also other rarer forms
of diabetes. Gestational diabetes, that can occur during the second or third
trimester of pregnancy in 5-10% of women. Maturity-onset diabetes of youth or
latent autoimmune diabetes in adults is caused by genetic conditions or from
medical treatment and accounts from 1-5% of cases diagnosed (CDC, 2016).
As of the 2014 National Diabetes Statistics Report there were 29.1 million
American people, or 9.3% of the population living with diabetes (CDC, 2014).
Of that, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suspected that 27.8% of
cases, or 8.1 million people, were undiagnosed. The American Diabetes
Association has reported that over the past decade diabetes has increased by
about 90% and this is primarily due to growing obesity and unhealthy living
(ADA, 2008). This increase is seen predominately among southern states and
lower socioeconomic states with the highest statistics in Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West
Virginia. West Virginia and Puerto Rico reported the highest age-adjusted
estimates of 12.8-.9 per 1,000. Of race/ ethnicities older than 20, American
Indians and Alaskan Natives ranked highest with as many as 24.1% among
American Indians of Southern Arizona (CDC, 2008).
In many cases diabetic and related unhealthy lifestyle is related to improvised
peoples and lower socioeconomic standing. However, as a country the lack of
healthy living is becoming a clearer, more cultural, issue and root of the health
concern. As technology advances in many cases there is a greater lack of
physical activity. Less playing outside in favor of video games and TV is an
example in children. Poor eating habits such as replacing healthy, natural
foods with processed snacks leads to caloric imbalances and increased sugar
consumption. Less water intake as sugar-filled sports drinks and soft drinks
are more and more commonly substituted is a major player in the problem.
America is not known for moderation, and the growing threat of diabetes and
obesity are perfect examples.
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Leading causes of death.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Diabetes. Center for Disease
Control and Prevention. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/diabetes.htm
National diabetes Statistic Report (2014). Leading causes of death. Center for
Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-
report-web.pdf