Georgia data summary. Diabetes

The Georgia Department Of Community Health
2010 Georgia Data Summary

Diabetes

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in Georgia. However the disease can be controlled or delayed by early detection, proper intervention, and comprehensive disease management.

DEFINITION Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is the medical term for the presence of high blood glucose (sugar) levels in the body. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in Georgia as well as in the United States.
PREVALENCE The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in both Georgia and the United States at an alarming rate.

Percent

Fig. 1
30 20 10
0

Prevalence of Self-reported Diabetes by Age Group, Georgia, Adults, 2009
26 20

10

4

3

4

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Age group (in years)

Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among adults in Georgia, 20091 (Figures 1 - 5)

Fig. 2

Prevalence of Diabetes by Race and Sex,

Georgia, Adults, 2009

Male

Female

Age 18 years or older: 716,000 or 10% of all Georgians in this age group have diabetes
Age 65 years or older: 258,000 or 26% of all Georgians in this age group have diabetes

Percent

16 12

98

8

4

0

White non-

Hispanic

13 15
Black nonHispanic

74
Hispanic

14 6
Other

Men: 360,000 or 10% of all men aged 18

years or older have diabetes in Georgia Women: 350,000 or 10% of all women aged
18 years or older have diabetes in Georgia Non-Hispanic whites: 370,000 or 9% of all
non-Hispanic Whites aged 18 years or older

Fig. 3
16 12
8

Prevalence of Self-Reported Diabetes by Race, Georgia Adults, 2009

14

9

10

6

Percent

have diabetes in Georgia Non-Hispanic blacks: 269,000 or 14% of all
non-Hispanic Blacks aged 18 years or older

4 0
White nonHispanic

Black nonHispanic

Hispanic

Other

have diabetes in Georgia

Hispanics: 27,500 or 6% of all Hispanics

Fig. 4 Association Between Self-Reported

aged 18 years or older have diabetes in

Diabetes Prevalence and Income Level,

Georgia

20

Percent

Georgians with less than a high school

15 10

education (14%) and those earning less than

5

Georgia Adults, 2009
Linear ( Diabetes prevalence) y = -2.6571x + 20.8
R2 = 0.9845

$15,000/year (19%) are twice and four times

0 < $15,000

15,000-

$25,000- $35,000- $50,000- > $75,000

more likely to have diabetes compared to

$24,999

$34,999

$49,999

$74,999

college graduates (7%) and those earning

more than $75,000/year (5%) respectively Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in

Fig. 5 Association between Diabetes Prevalence and Education Level, Georgia Adults, 2009

Georgia is highly associated with the level of

Percent

education (R2=0.99) and household income

16

(R2=0.98)

12 8 4

0

Linear (Diabetes prevalence) y = -2.3x + 16.5
R2 = 0.9888

<High School

High School Graduate

Some College College Graduate

2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 w www.dch.georgia.gov

July 2010

2010 Georgia Data summary | Diabetes

MORTALITY Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people without diabetes of similar age.
Deaths among people with diabetes in Georgia, 20072
Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death, killing 1,583 Georgians in 2007
In 2007, the overall ageadjusted death rate for Georgia was 19 per 100,000 population
The diabetes death rate was 1.3 times higher in men (23/100,000) compared to women (17/100,000); and 2.2 times higher among Blacks (34/100,000) compared to Whites (15/100,000) (Fig. 7)

Fig. 6 Age-adjusted Diabetes Mortality Rates by County, Georgia, 1999-2007
AAMR per 100,000 population
Highest 25% Middle 50% Lowest 25% Statistically unstable State Average AAMR 22 deaths per 100,000 population

AAMR = Age-adjusted mortality rate. Source: Georgia Division of Public Health, OASIS.

Fig. 7

Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population

Age-adjusted Diabetes Death Rates by Race and Sex, Georgia, 2007

40

34

31

30

20

10

0

Blacks

Males Females
19 13
Whites

MORBIDITY AND ECONOMIC COSTS Diabetes can contribute to blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, nerve damage, repeated infections, sexual dysfunction, skin disorders, periodontal disease, pregnancy complications, disability and premature death.
Hospitalizations3 In 2008, approximately 16,209 hospitalizations for which diabetes was the primary diagnosis occurred in Georgia Also, in 2008, 21,274 emergency room visits in Georgia were attributed to diabetes
Estimated Costs4 According to American Diabetes Association's Diabetes Cost Calculator, the estimated diabetes costs in Georgia in 2007 are (Data updated every 5 years):
Total (direct and indirect): $5.1 billion Direct medical costs: $3.3 billion Indirect costs: $1.8 billion (disability, work loss, and premature mortality)

2010 Georgia Data summary | Diabetes

RISK FACTORS FOR DIABETES IN GEORGIA1 Smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity are some of the risk factors for developing diabetes. These factors can be modified to improve the overall health status of individuals. (Fig. 8)

Fig. 8
80 40
0

Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors by Diabetes Status, Georgia Adults, 2009

Non-diabetic Diabetic

76 69

52 25

37 23

18 15

63 33

71 27

Percent
Consume <5 fruits/vegetables
per day Obesity Physical inactivity Smoking
High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure

Smoking Smoking can elevate the risk of cardiovascular-related complications (heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, etc.) among adults with diabetes.
In 2009, the prevalence of smoking among adult Georgians was 18%
The prevalence of smoking among adult Georgians with diabetes (15%) was similar to non-diabetics (18%)
Lack of Physical Activity Regular physical activity is important in regulating blood sugar levels among people with diabetes.
In 2009, 24% of adults in Georgia had no leisure time physical activity during the past month
Adults with diabetes (37%) in Georgia were almost 1.6 times more likely to be physically inactive compared to non-diabetics (23%)
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Although fruits and vegetables are important components of a balanced diet, many people in Georgia do not eat enough fruits and vegetables.
In 2009, the majority (76%) of adults in Georgia did not consume the recommended daily servings of five or more fruits and vegetables
Adults with diabetes (69%) in Georgia were as likely to consume less than the recommended daily servings of five or more fruits and vegetables as non-diabetics (76%)

Obesity For people with diabetes, losing excess body weight and maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for properly managing the disease, preventing complications and slowing down the disease progression.
In 2009, 27% of adults in Georgia were obese
Diabetic Georgians were twice as likely to be obese (52%) when compared to nondiabetics (25%)
High Blood Pressure In 2009, 31% of adults in Georgia had high blood pressure Diabetic Georgians were three times more likely to be hypertensive (71%) when compared to non-diabetics (27%)
High Cholesterol In 2009, 37% of adults in Georgia had high cholesterol levels Adults with diabetes (63%) in Georgia were twice as likely to have high cholesterol when compared to nondiabetics (33%)

Percent Annual doctor
visit Diabetes education Daily self glucose monitoring Annual hemoglobin A1c testing Annual dilated eye exam Annual foot
exam Annual influenza vaccination Pneumococcal vaccination

PREVENTING DIABETES COMPLICATIONS Most diabetes complications can be reduced by controlling the levels of blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids and by receiving other preventive care practices (diabetes education, doctor visits, eye exam, foot exam, influenza vaccination, and pneumococcal vaccination) in a timely manner.
In 2009, adults with diabetes in Georgia met two of the seven national targets (Healthy People 2010 Objectives) for recommended routine care for diabetes (Fig. 9)
Daily self glucose monitoring (66% compared to 60% target)
Annual hemoglobin A1C testing (80%

Fig. 9
100 80 60 40 20 0

Recommended Routine Care Rates for Adults with Diabetes, Georgia 2009

Significant improvement from 2005 Healthy people 2010 objective

85

80

70

73

58

66

55

44

compared to 50% target)1
Data Source 1. Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Georgia Department of Community Health,
Division of Public Health, Epidemiology Branch, 2008 and 2009. 2. Georgia Death File, Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health, Vital
Records Program, 2007. 3. Georgia Hospital Discharge Data, Georgia Hospital Association, 2007 4. American Diabetes Association. Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2007: Diabetes Cost
Calculator. www.diabetes.org/cost. 5. Online Analytical Statistical Information System (OASIS), Georgia Department of Community
Health, Division of Public Health, Office of Health Information and Policy. http://oasis.state.ga.us/
Date updated: October 2010
Visit http://www.health.state.ga.us/epi/cdiee/diabetes.asp for more information about diabetes in Georgia