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