Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition wherein the body can no longer control blood glucose, which leads to dangerously high levels of blood glucose. This is called hyperglycemia. Persistent hyperglycemia can damage the body’s tissues, including those in the nerves, blood vessels, and eyes. Diabetes can cause serious health complications, including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and the need for amputation of the lower extremities

The body converts most of the food people eat into glucose, a simple sugar, which it can then use for energy. The pancreas, an organ near the stomach, makes a hormone called insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The bodies of people with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin at all, so these people need to supplement their supply. The bodies of people with type 2 diabetes cannot use insulin effectively. However, it is possible to control the risk of type 2 diabetes with careful dietary management and regular exercise.

Nearly 10% of the population in the US has diabetes of which a significant portion is the Asian American community. Classes on diabetes prevention and management have been developed by CDC and are offered by many institutions across the country.

Select Documents from Popular Sites

American Diabetes Association: Statistics About Diabetes

CDC: National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020
CDC: National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020 [pdf]