Home > The ADA says. Currently, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States

The American Diabetes Association urges all Americans to heed their "wake-up call" about diabetes and take the Diabetes Risk Test.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is declaring March 22 “Diabetes Alert Day.” The day is a one-day “wake-up call” for Americans about diabetes, and its prevalence in our society today. People are urged to take the ADA Diabetes Risk Test, in English or Spanish, to assess their own risk of diabetes.

The test can be take in a variety of ways:

• Visit stopdiabetes.com
• Call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)
• Text JOIN to 69866 (Standard data and message rates apply)

The ADA is urging people to take the test if they have not been diagnosed with diabetes, and, for those who have been diagnosed, the ADA suggests that they invite friends and family to take the test, to spread the word about diabetes and the seriousness of the disease.

Diabetes mellitus is not a single disease, but a group of diseases that are characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from the body’s inability to produce and/or use insulin, the ADA explains. There are three types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: Only five percent have this form of diabetes, the ADA says, and it is typically diagnosed in children and young adults, which is why it is sometimes referred to as “juvenile diabetes.” In this form of diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, the hormone needed for the body to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy the body can use.
• Type 2 diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes, the ADA says. Millions of Americans have already been diagnosed with the disease, and many more will be diagnosed, many of them currently unaware that they are even at risk. Type 2 is most common among African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and older Americans. With this type of diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin, or is unable to use the insulin that is produced.
• Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy, usually around week 28 or later. It does not indicate the presence of diabetes before pregnancy, and does not mean that the mother-to-be will have diabetes after her pregnancy. But, it is important that pregnant women who develop gestational diabetes follow their physician’s advice regarding the control of glucose levels, to keep both the mother and baby healthy, the ADA advises.

It is important that the American public be aware of the prevalence of diabetes, the ADA says. Currently, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—that is 8.3 percent of the population—have diabetes, but only 18.8 million have been diagnosed. Approximately 79 million people have prediabetes in the U.S., the ADA says, and 1.9 million new cases were diagnosed in people ages 20 and older in 2010.

“Diabetes is a public health crisis of epidemic proportions. Diabetes Alert Day has become more relevant and more critical than ever to help identify the undiagnosed and those at risk for type 2 diabetes,” commented Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, RD, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association in a statement. “Awareness is vitally important in the effort to Stop Diabetes®,” she said, explaining why it is so important that people take the ADA Diabetes Risk Test. “Once you are aware that you are at risk for diabetes, there are many steps you can take to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. In addition, if you find out you have diabetes, there are many things you can do to prevent or delay its complications.”

To take the ADA Diabetes Risk Test, or to learn more about diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association website.

Image: Wikimedia Commons