Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025

A High-Throughput Multiplexed Screening for Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Diseases, and COVID-19
Published on: July 5, 2022
Change in testing for blood glucose during the COVID-19 pandemic, United States 2019-2021
Yoshihisa Miyamoto1, Ryan Saelee1, Alain K Koyama1
1Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA, USA.
Aim:
This study assessed changes in testing for blood glucose in the United States (US) from 2019 to 2021.
Methods:
We conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis of the 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey by including adults aged ≥ 18 years without reported diagnosed diabetes. We estimated the prevalence of testing for blood glucose within 12 months and the difference in the testing prevalence between 2019 and 2021.
Results:
The study sample included 82,594 respondents without diabetes in 2019--2021, with a mean age between 46.4 and 46.8 years. Overall, the prevalence of testing for blood glucose decreased significantly from 64.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 63.3 %, 65.1 %) in 2019 to 60.0 % (95 % CI 59.1 %, 60.9 %) in 2021. Among adults who met the United States Preventive Services Task Force's 2015 screening recommendation, the prevalence decreased from 73.4 % (95 % CI 72.2 %, 74.6 %) to 69.5 % (95 % CI 68.3 %, 70.6 %). Although decreases in testing were observed in most groups, the extent of the decline differed by subgroups.
Conclusions:
Testing for blood glucose decreased in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. This may have delayed diagnosis and treatment of prediabetes and diabetes, underscoring the importance of continued access to diabetes screening during pandemics.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...

