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DIABETES

More than 18 million people have diabetes in the United States, and pre-diabetes is far more common than previously believed. About 40 percent of U.S. adults ages 40 to 74, or 41 million people, currently have pre-diabetes. Racial and ethnic minority groups, especially the elderly among these populations, are disproportionately affected by diabetes.

African Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes as Whites. The highest incidence of diabetes in African Americans occurs between 65-75 years of age. African American women are especially affected, with nearly 12 percent of African American women over 20 years of age having diabetes, in comparison to 8.5 percent of men in the same age group. African Americans with diabetes are more likely to experience complications of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease, is 40 to 50 percent more common in African Americans than Whites. Kidney failure (end-stage renal disease or ESRD) is about 4 times more common in African Americans with diabetes than in Whites with diabetes. Amputations of lower extremities (legs and feet) are also more common in African Americans with diabetes.

As of 2002, two million Hispanic adults, about 8.2 percent of the population, have diabetes. Diabetes is more prevalent in older Hispanics, with about 25 to 30 percent of Hispanics age 50 or over having the disease. About one-third of Hispanics with diabetes are undiagnosed. Hispanics are 1.5 times as likely to have diabetes as Whites. And, in 2001 the death rate from diabetes in Hispanics was 40 percent higher than the death rate of Whites.

The incidence of diabetes among American Indians and Alaska Natives is more than twice that of Whites. As of 2003, 14.5 percent of the American Indian and Alaska Natives served by the Indian Health Service had been diagnosed with diabetes. The likelihood of having diabetes is higher in older age groups, with about 20 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives between 45 and 64 having diabetes, and about 23 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives over age 64 having diabetes.

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the Asian American and Pacific Islander population. Prevalence data for diabetes among this group are limited, but some subpopulations are at increased risk for diabetes. Native Hawaiians, Japanese and Filipino adults living in Hawaii were about two times more likely to have been diagnosed with diabetes as compared to White residents.

Throughout this Web site, we include statistics like these to indicate some of the reasons why Americans should be concerned with the health gap. The most important message we can present is that it does not have to be this way. Individuals and families can take many steps to improve their health and the health of their loved ones, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has many resources that can help. Some of the best resources we have or know about are listed here.

Searchable Web Sites

FDA Diabetes Information
The Food and Drug Administration's "Diabetes Information" Web page is searchable and loaded with helpful material including information on diabetes drugs, complications of the disease and meal planning for diabetics.

CDC's Diabetes Public Health Resource
The CDC created this resource to eliminate the preventable burden of diabetes through leadership, research, programs and policies that translate science into practice.

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
This site provides population-specific messages, materials and tips on treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes to promote early diagnosis, and ultimately, to prevent the onset of diabetes. NDEP is a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and more than 200 public and private organizations.

National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Part of the National Institutes of Health, NIDDK offers publications on medications, nutrition, prevention of complications in diabetes, digestive, blood, kidney and urologic diseases, and nutrition and weight loss.

National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
This site provides population-specific messages, materials and tips on treatment and outcomes for people with diabetes to promote early diagnosis, and ultimately, to prevent the onset of diabetes. NDEP is a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and more than 200 public and private organizations.

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
A service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, NDIC offers information on treatments, complications, statistics, clinical trials, resources and related diabetes publications.

National Diabetes Program, Indian Health Service (IHS)
IHS National Diabetes Program site provides information on diabetes and efforts to prevent and control diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Selected Publications

This Web page provides information on diabetes in racial and ethnic minorities, including risk factors, complications, death rates, pregnancy complications and more.

Be Smart About Your Heart: Control the ABCs of Diabetes
NDEP and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have developed a new brochure for people with diabetes that provides essential information along with a wallet card to help them track their ABC numbers. To get the new brochure and the free wallet card and to learn more about diabetes, call 1-800-438-5383 or visit NDEP's Web site at http://ndep.nih.gov or contact the ADA at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit http://www.diabetes.org/makethelink.

The Power to Control Diabetes is in Your Hands
This easy-to-read, 12-page brochure provides information for Medicare beneficiaries who have diabetes. The brochure focuses on the importance of self-monitoring blood sugar levels and explains the Medicare benefits that help pay for diabetes equipment and supplies.
"The Power to Control Diabetes is in Your Hands" [El poder de controlar su diabetes está en sus manos.] En Español. (PDF)

Modified versions have also been translated into six Asian American and Pacific Islander languages: Cambodian, Chinese, Korean, Samoan, Tagalog and Vietnamese. Go to http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/order.htm to order.

Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime
This illustrated patient booklet provides step-by-step instructions for proper foot care. It includes a tear-off reminder card and a patient "To Do" list.
"Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime" [Cuide sus pies durante toda su vida] En Español.

Your GAME PLAN for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes (PDF)
This booklet provides patients with information about their risk for developing diabetes and how to implement a program to prevent or delay the onset of the disease, including information about setting goals, tracking progress, implementing a walking program and finding additional resources.

I Can Lower My Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
This brochure is designed to educate American Indians and Alaska Natives on the lifestyle changes that can lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

"Am I at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?" (PDF)
Download this brochure to find out if you are at risk for type 2 diabetes and what you can do about it...now!

GAME PLAN Food and Activity Tracker (PDF)
This printer-ready diary enables diabetes sufferers to monitor and record food and drink intake and physical activity, an important component of a successful weight loss program.

Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes. For Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
This patient education flyer tells people with diabetes about the link between diabetes and heart disease and encourages them to manage their blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol. Each flyer has a form to enable people with diabetes to keep track of their numbers and work with their health care providers to reach their target goals.
Flyers available in: English   Cambodian   Chamorro   Chinese   Chuukese   Gujarati   Hindi   Hmong   Japanese   Korean   Lao   Samoan   Tagalog   Thai    Tongan   Vietnamese

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Diabetes
This updated fact sheet provides the latest statistics on the prevalence of diabetes overall and includes new information about the link between diabetes and heart disease and the good news about preventing Type 2 diabetes.
Flyers available in: English   Cambodian   Chamorro   Chinese   Chuukese   Gujarati   Hindi   Hmong   Japanese   Korean   Lao   Samoan   Tagalog   Thai   Tongan   Vietnamese