Diabetes is one of the growing health crises in the world today. November 14this observed as World Diabetes Day in an effort to raise awareness and draw attention to this potential epidemic. In honor of today being World Diabetes Day, we’re sharing information about diabetes and how it affects people across the country and around the world.

Diabetes Statistics

According to data from 2021, there are 537 million people who have diabetes worldwide, with 1.2 million new cases identified each year. That means one in fifteen people are living with and managing this health concern every day. While type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in early childhood, most type 2 diabetes cases are diagnosed in people over 45. However, nearly 9 million people were living with unidentified diabetes in 2021, and it continues to be a struggle to correctly identify patients with diabetes.

The Physical Impact of Diabetes

You may have heard diabetes referred to as a systemic health issue. Diabetes affects the whole body with an emphasis on certain bodily systems. Most people think of the pancreas when first considering the physical impact of diabetes because it produces insulin, the hormone that helps blood sugar enter your body’s cells to be used for energy. If the production is hindered or damaged in any way, blood sugar builds in the blood which can lead to other systems being affected, including:

• Cardiovascular system
  • Heart
  • Blood vessels
• Urinary system
  • Kidneys
• Nervous system
  • Brain
  • Eyes
  • Extremities
    • Neuropathy
• Integumentary system
  • Skin
• Digestive system
  • Oral infections
    • Gingivitis
    • Periodontitis
• Auditory system
  • Hearing loss is 30% higher in those with uncontrolled blood sugar.

The Mental Impact of Diabetes

Along with the physical toll diabetes can have, there’s a mental component for those suffering as well. Because of its nature, diabetes is a health concern that requires daily management, so it can be quite mentally taxing and have a heavy impact on a person’s well-being. People with diabetes must stay organized and accountable to manage this issue at home, work, school, and more. Furthermore, the risk of developing any of the complications above can leave people living in fear, with over 60% of those with diabetes saying that this fear affects their well-being.

Diabetes can be a scary, life-long health concern, but the earlier it's identified and managed, the better the outcomes. Make sure you're scheduling (and keeping) your annual health checkups and talking to your doctor(s) about any symptoms you may be experiencing.

Do you know someone with diabetes? Help them truly live despite diabetes by sharing the American Diabetes Association resources.