Minnesota Diabetes Cases Doubled In Last 2 Decades
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Department of Health reports that the number of diabetes cases in the state has doubled in the last 20 years, and many adults may not even be aware they have it.
Figures show that 290,000 adults in the state have been diagnosed with diabetes by their health care providers. That number constitutes 7.3 percent of the population.
The health department estimates that -- because data suggests only three-quarters of adults with diabetes actually know they have it -- as many as 80,000 adults are living with the condition, and urged Minnesotans to consider being tested, or to at least consider their own risk factors and take appropriate steps.
This Tuesday marks Diabetes Alert Day.
"Given the alarming increase of diabetes, we are encouraging Minnesotans to use this day to think about whether they or someone they love might have diabetes or prediabetes and not even know about it," Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said. "Diabetes is a very treatable disease and it is important that everyone with diabetes takes steps to get their blood sugar under control and lead a healthier life."
A test for people to find out whether they're at risk for diabetes can be found here.
