Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not make any insulin or can't use the insulin it does make as well as it should. Insulin is a hormone made in the body. It helps glucose (sugar) from food enter the cells where it can be used to give the body energy. Without insulin, glucose remains in the blood stream and cannot be used for energy by the cells. Over time, having too much glucose in the blood can cause many health problems.

How widespread is it?

Diabetes is the most rapidly growing chronic disease of our time. It has become an epidemic that affects one out of every 12 adult New Yorkers. Since 1994, the number of people in the state who have diabetes has more than doubled, and it is likely that number will double again by the year 2050.

More than one million adults, or 8.9 percent of New Yorkers have been diagnosed with diabetes. It is estimated that another 450,000 people have diabetes and don't know it, because the symptoms may be overlooked or misunderstood.

What about Pre-diabetes?

In addition, estimates indicate that there are between 3.7 and 4.2 million (25-30%) adult New Yorkers with pre-diabetes. Individuals with pre-diabetes have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than someone without the condition, and are also at increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke and eye disease.

What can be done?

Lifestyle changes are an important part of controlling diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Diabetes Prevention Program

A Diabetes Prevention Program can give you the skills and practice necessary to make the important changes in your lifestyle habits, and help you prevent diabetes.