Key points, statistics, resources to know for Diabetes Awareness Month
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It affects about 38 million Americans, including adults and youth. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer.
But there’s also good news: Taking charge of your health may help you prevent diabetes and manage associated health problems.
Some key statistics
- Prevalence: As of 2025, 15.8% of American adults are affected by diabetes, which includes both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases This translates to about 38 million adults having been formally diagnosed. while an estimated 15 million remain undiagnosed.
- Demographic Breakdown: The prevalence of diabetes varies significantly by gender and age.
- Men: Approximately 18.0% of men are affected.
- Women: About 13.7% of women have diabetes.
- Age Factor: The prevalence increases with age, with 27.3% of adults 60 and older affected, compared to just 3.6% among those aged 20-39.
- Economic Impact: The total annual cost of diabetes in the U.S. is estimated to be $412.9 billion, which includes $306.6 billion in direct medical costs and $106.3 billion in indirect costs due to lost productivity.
- Risk Factors: The rise in diabetes cases is closely linked to obesity, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles. Notably, 1 in 4 obese adults is affected by diabetes, highlighting the connection between obesity and metabolic disorders.
The statistics for diabetes in 2025 underscore the ongoing public health challenge posed by this chronic condition. With a significant portion of the population affected, there is a critical need for continued efforts in prevention, education, and management strategies to address the diabetes epidemic effectively.
An upcoming column will focus on lifestyle changes important for addressing the prevention of both prediabetes and diabetes through focusing on lifestyle changes.
References/resources
Updated diabetic statistics are available for viewing at: Diabetes Statistics in the US 2025 | Diabetes Facts – The World Data.
Access information and some basic facts about diabetes from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as well as assistance with health and wellness, food and nutrition and other tools/resources at diabetes.org.
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at [email protected].
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