Diabetes affects millions in the U.S., with Type 2 being the most common, accounting for up to 95% of cases, and largely linked to lifestyle factors, making it preventable. Type 1, by contrast, is an autoimmune condition that usually begins in childhood and isn’t preventable.
As of 2021, 38.4 million Americans—11.6% of the population—were living with diabetes, including 2 million with Type 1. The disease disproportionately affects communities of color, with the highest rates among American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic adults. Beyond health, the economic toll is staggering: in 2022, diabetes cost the U.S. an estimated $412.9 billion, with individuals facing medical expenses 2.6 times higher than those without the condition. These numbers highlight an urgent need for prevention, equity, and early care.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Over time, this can lead to serious complications like heart disease, vision loss, and kidney damage.You’re at higher risk if you:
- Have prediabetes
- Are overweight
- Age 45 or older with a bad lifestyle, almost sedentary
- Have a family history of the disease
- Are physically active less than three times a week
- Have had gestational diabetes or a baby over 9 pounds
Preventing type 2 diabetes begins with knowing your motivation and identifying which eating and activity habits help or hurt your health. Set a realistic weight-loss goal, eat nutritious foods you enjoy, and aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. Start small, use cues to stay consistent, and turn healthy actions into lasting habits. With consistent effort, small changes can become long-term habits that help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
A healthy lifestyle can not only prevent but even reverse its progress. Diet and exercise can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%, and by 71% for those over 60. Healthy habits like losing weight, being active, cutting added sugars, eating more fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and reducing red meat intake have proven effective across all racial and ethnic groups. With 80% of people with prediabetes unaware they have it, prevention is urgent, and within reach.
Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, and it often has no symptoms, so many people don’t know they have it. In fact, most people who develop type 2 diabetes first go through a stage of prediabetes. The good news is that with early detection and modest lifestyle changes it’s possible to reverse prediabetes and return blood sugar levels to a normal range.
Diabetes prevention should be a concern for all of us. By getting annual blood glucose checks, we’re not only taking care of ourselves but also helping keep our communities healthy.
