November is National Diabetes awareness month

DIABETES

November is National Diabetes awareness month. United States diabetes fast facts:

Among U.S. residents 65 and older, 10.9 million, or 26.9 percent, had diabetes in 2010.

About 215,000 people 20 and younger had diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) in 2010.

About 1.9 million people age 20 and older were newly diagnosed with diabetes in 2010.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower limb amputation and new cases of blindness among adults.

Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stoke.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death.

EVERY DAY

4,000 new diabetes cases are diagnosed.

120 diabetics are newly placed on dialysis.

230 diabetics undergo amputations.

55 diabetics lose their eyesight.

810 die of complications from diabetes.

ESTIMATED COSTS OF DIABETES IN 2007

Direct medical: $116 billion.

Indirect (disability, work loss, premature mortality): $58 billion.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Dr. Paul A. Rich, director of the Family Practice Residency Program at Northside Medical Center.