A recent study from the University of Georgia reveals that Type 2 diabetes has increased by nearly 20% between 2012 and 2022.
The study, published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, shows that this rise in diabetes affects people from all walks of life, but certain groups are hit harder than others.
One of the most striking findings is the impact on non-Hispanic Black people. Nearly 16% of Black participants in the study reported having been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
The study also found that older adults are particularly vulnerable.
More than 1 in 5 people aged 65 and older have the condition, making them over ten times more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than young adults aged 18 to 24.
Those aged 45 to 64 are also at a much higher risk, being more than five times as likely to receive a diabetes diagnosis compared to younger individuals.
Income and education levels also play a significant role in diabetes risk. People with lower incomes are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with higher incomes.
In fact, individuals with higher incomes are 41% less likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
Education also seems to be a protective factor, with college-educated people being 24% less likely to have diabetes.
“Diabetes is becoming more common in the U.S., and the numbers will likely continue to rise in the coming years,” said Sulakshan Neupane, the study’s lead author and a doctoral student at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Neupane emphasized the financial burden of diabetes, which currently costs around $412 billion annually, including medical expenses and loss of productivity. This number is expected to grow as more people are diagnosed.
The study also highlighted regional differences in diabetes prevalence.
The South and Midwest regions of the U.S. have seen the largest increases, with states like Arkansas, Kentucky, and Nebraska reporting the highest spikes in diabetes cases between 2012 and 2022. Ten states, including Texas, Alabama, and West Virginia, saw increases of 25% or more during this period.
Being overweight or obese significantly raises the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. About one in five obese individuals reported having the disease in 2022, compared to one in ten overweight individuals. However, staying physically active can help reduce the risk.
The study found that people who are physically active have a lower diabetes prevalence, with less than 10% of active individuals reporting the disease, compared to nearly 19% of inactive people.
Neupane stressed the importance of identifying and addressing risk factors for diabetes. “While some risk factors like age and race can’t be changed, people can lower their risk of diabetes by eating healthily, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight,” he said.
This study serves as a wake-up call, urging policymakers and public health officials to focus on high-risk areas and encourage healthier lifestyles to combat the growing diabetes epidemic.
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