Diabetes Facts and Prevention

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or when the body can’t effectively use the insulin being produced. There’s a good chance you know someone with diabetes. It might be a family member, a friend or even yourself. Today, the number of patients with diabetes is higher than ever before as more people are being diagnosed at younger ages and higher rates.

In 2021 we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. This discovery completely changed the prognosis for diabetes patients. While we have come a long way in the treatment and prevention of this disease, it is still a leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, diabetes was the ninth leading cause of death, with an estimated 1.5 million deaths directly caused by the disease.

Diabetes prevention and management are possible with a healthy lifestyle and informed decision-making. It has never been more important to stay informed about diabetes. Ask your primary care provider to help you understand diabetes facts and statistics.