Diabetes incidence plateaus at 8.2% of American adults

A recent article in Medpage Today highlights a study showing the incidence of diabetes (both type 1 and 2 combined) has plateaued. The study, published in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, showed a significant increase in the prevalence of diabetes from 4.4% in 1990 to 8.2% in 2009. However, the trend the hit a plateau, staying at 8.2% in 2017.

BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care: New directions in incidence and prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in the USA

Why has this happened?

The study was not designed to answer this question, but the authors hypothesize it is due to “changing awareness, detection and diagnostic practices.”

Anything that reduces the rising tide of diabetes is a reason for celebration. But this doesn’t mean we can declare victory and move on. Simply slowing the rise should not be the goal. The goal should be reducing the prevalence back to the 1990 level of 4.4% or even lower!

At Diet Doctor, we will continue to do our part to promote healthy, evidence based and practical lifestyles to further reduce the impact of diabetes and metabolic disease. We hope the next time the authors conduct this survey, the results will be closer to zero percent!

Thanks for reading,
Bret Scher, MD FACC

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