CDC Says Diabetes Up 90%

The CDC reports that diabetes is up 90% since 1997. They think the numbers are actually much higher because a third of the people who have it may not be aware that they have it.

Southern states have the highest rates. Of the top ten, Arizona is the only one not southern, the others are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

The CDC has complete data for 33 of our states and of those West Virginia is in the lead with almost 13 cases for every 1000 people. Minnesota has the lowest with only 5 per 1000. California has the highest rate with 208,000 in 1997.

They think that those numbers are growing because obesity is growing. Southern states have 27.3% obese, Midwest has 26.5%, Northeast has 24.4%, and the West 23.1%.

Although obesity is the major risk factor for the disease, you don't have to get thin to avoid it. They say all you have to do is exercise 30 minutes 5 day a week, and lose 5% to 10% of your weight.


West Virginia: 12.7 new cases every year,a 119% increase
South Carolina: 11.5/113%
Alabama: 11.3/109%
Georgia: 11.2/81%
Texas: 11.1/156%
Tennessee: 11.0/112%
Kentucky: 10.5/163%
Arizona: 10.4/100%
Florida: 10.3/203%
Indiana: 10.2/76%
Arkansas: 10.2/122%
North Carolina: 10.1/77%
Idaho: 9.8/216%
California: 9/36%
Missouri: 8.8/69%
New Mexico: 8.7/64%
Pennsylvania: 8.6/83%
New Hampshire: 8/135%
Iowa: 8/63%
Utah: 7.8/73%
New Jersey: 7.7/64%
Virginia: 7.6/38%
South Dakota: 7.3/181%
Montana: 7.1/97%
North Dakota: 7.0/35%
Oregon: 6.7/43%
Vermont: 6.6/43%
Ohio: 6.3/91%
Colorado: 6.2/72%
Wyoming: 6.1/15%
Hawaii: 5.9/40%
Minnesota: 5.0/67%