Get to Know Diabetes

Fast Facts

Current statistics for diabetes in the United States:

  • Approximately 1 out of 11 people have diabetes.
  • Of those with diabetes, 1 out of 4 is unaware of it.
  • More than 1 in 3 adults has prediabetes
  • Of those with prediabetes, 9 out of 10 are unaware of it.

Screening Recommendations

  • Age 30 and older: Get screened if you have risk factors
  • Age 45 and older: Get screened by your doctor every three years

To find a doctor and schedule your screening, log in to My Health Toolkit®, select the Resources tab, then Find a Doctor or Hospital.

Risk Factors

These characteristics can increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes:

  • Being age 45 or older
  • Being overweight and/or physically inactive
  • Having high blood pressure
  • Having low HDL cholesterol and/or high triglycerides
  • Having a family history of diabetes
  • Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy

Recognize the Symptoms

Here are some typical symptoms of diabetes. Some people with Type 2 diabetes, however, have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.

  • Urinating often
  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Feeling very hungry even after eating
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
  • Inability to maintain weight (Type 1)
  • Tingling, pain or numbness in the hands or feet (Type 2)

Understanding Prediabetes

Before developing Type 2 diabetes, a person will almost always have prediabetes — with blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. People with prediabetes do not automatically develop Type 2 diabetes. If you are, however, in this category, now is the time for preventive action!

Research shows that you can lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent if you:

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