Diabetes mellitus, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2008-2015

From 2008 through 2015, a total of 9,092 incident cases of diabetes mellitus (DM) were reported among active component service members (incidence rate 82.8 cases per 100,000 person-years [p-yrs]). The overall incidence rate of type 1 DM was 3.0 cases per 100,000 p-yrs. The rate of type 2 DM was 74.5 cases per 100,000 p-yrs and rates doubled within each successive age group. Male service members had higher rates of both types of DM, compared to female service members. Black, non-Hispanic service members; service members of other or unknown race/ethnicity; and Hispanic service members had much higher rates of type 2 DM, compared to white, non-Hispanic service members. Rates of type 2 DM were highest among service members of the Army and the Navy, and lowest among Marine Corps members. Crude annual rates of type 2 DM peaked in 2010 and thereafter steadily decreased. During 2010-2015, decreases in rates of type 2 DM were observed for both sexes, those aged 25 years or older, all race/ethnicity groups, and all services except the Marine Corps. Potential explanations for these differences are discussed.