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Diabetes trends in the U.S.: 1990-1998
A H Mokdad1, E S Ford, B A Bowman
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. ahm1@cdc.gov
Diabetes Care
|September 8, 2000
Summary
Diabetes prevalence in the U.S. increased by 33% between 1990 and 1998. Rising obesity rates suggest this trend will continue, necessitating public health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Chronic Disease Management
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health concern in the United States.
- Understanding temporal trends in diabetes prevalence is crucial for effective health policy and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the changes in diabetes prevalence across the U.S. from 1990 to 1998.
- To identify demographic and geographic variations in these trends.
Main Methods:
- Utilized telephone surveys from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
- Included noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 years and older.
- Self-reported diabetes status was the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- Diabetes prevalence rose from 4.9% in 1990 to 6.5% in 1998, a 33% increase.
- Increases were widespread, affecting all sexes, ages, ethnic groups, education levels, and most states.
- A strong positive correlation was found between diabetes and obesity prevalence (r = 0.64, P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- The rapid increase in U.S. diabetes prevalence is an ongoing concern.
- The concurrent rise in obesity suggests a further increase in diabetes cases.
- Urgent and substantial public health efforts are required to reverse these adverse trends.