American Diabetics

Who is at risk?

There are 18.2 million people with diabetes in the United States. That means that 6.3 percent of all Americans are diabetic. Even more shocking is the fact some 5.2 million people (nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

What is diabetes?

American diabetics suffer from a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone used to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. It is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of American diabetics have type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), and a lack of insulin produced by the body.  Most American diabetics have type 2 diabetes, which usually develops after age 40.

Gestational diabetes affects about 4 percent of all pregnant women in the United States each year.

Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 41 million Americans who have pre-diabetes.

Who is at risk?

Whites — Type I diabetes is more common among whites than Asian, Hispanic, Native and African Americans. If you have a close relative with the disease, you are more likely to develop Type I.

Asian, Hispanic, Native and African Americans — Type II is more common among Asian, Hispanic, Native and African Americans. Type II diabetes also tends to run in families.

Older Americans — About half of all people diagnosed with Type II diabetes are older than 55. This may be because, as people age, they tend to become more sedentary and gain weight.

Do you have diabetes?

If you have diabetes and are on Medicare, the cost of your diabetes testing supplies may be covered.* Liberty Medical Supply can help determine if you are eligible, whether you use insulin or not. As a Medicare participating provider of diabetes testing supplies, we help American diabetics get the benefits they are entitled to receive.

See if your diabetes testing supplies are covered by Medicare with one simple phone call 1-866-373-8971. If calling is not convenient, see if your supplies are covered online or enroll online.

* Co-payments and deductibles apply.

Source: The American Diabetes Association.

Diabetic Seniors Team

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