Laredo, TX - - More than 18 million Americans have diabetes. Now the sixth leading cause of death in America, diabetes is responsible for over 200,000 deaths each year. The number of U.S. adults with diagnosed diabetes, including women with gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), has increased 61% since 1991 and is projected to more than double by 2050.

Many Complications of Diabetes Can Be Prevented
Although the increasing burden of diabetes and its complications is alarming, much of this burden could be prevented with early detection, improved delivery of care, and better education on diabetes self-management. The following are examples of diabetes-related complications that could be prevented or reduced:

Eye disease and blindness. Each year, 12,000–24,000 people in this country become blind because of diabetic eye disease. Regular eye exams and timely treatment could prevent up to 90% of diabetes-related blindness; however, only 64.2% of people with diabetes received annual dilated eye exams in 2002.

Kidney disease. About 42,813 people with diabetes develop kidney failure each year, and over 100,000 are treated for this condition. Treatment to better control blood pressure and blood glucose levels could reduce diabetes-related kidney failure by about 50%.

Amputations. About 82,000 people have diabetes-related leg, foot, or toe amputations each year. Foot care programs that include regular examinations and patient education could prevent up to 85% of these amputations.

Cardiovascular disease. Heart disease and stroke cause about 65% of deaths among people with diabetes. These deaths could be reduced by 30% with improved care to control blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood cholesterol levels.

Pregnancy complications. About 18,000 women with preexisting diabetes and about 135,000 women with gestational diabetes give birth each year. These women and their babies have an increased risk for serious complications such as stillbirths, congenital malformations, and the need for cesarean sections. Women with gestational diabetes and their babies are also at higher risk of becoming obese and developing diabetes later in life. These risks can be reduced with screenings and diabetes care before, during, and after pregnancy.

Flu- and pneumonia-related deaths. Each year, 10,000–30,000 people with diabetes die of complications from flu or pneumonia. They are roughly three times more likely to die of these complications than people without diabetes; however, only 55% of people with diabetes get an annual flu shot.

Studies show that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. You can do it by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes.

In 2002, the Texas department of health Vital statistics reported 54 deaths related to diabetes representing 5.4% of the total deaths for that year. Diabetes was the third leading cause of death in Laredo-Webb county in 2002.

It used to be that type 2 diabetes was more commonly seen in adults. However, today, there is a disproportionate level in Laredo Youths. Type 2 diabetes in children has been directly linked to poor diet and lack of exercise. Later in life type 2 diabetes may cause blindness, kidney disease and heart disease. It is much better to prevent diabetes and its complications rather than try to treat it later.

The City of Laredo has joined several partners including Doctor’s Hospital, Laredo Medical Center, Gateway Community Health Center, Mercy Ministries, the Laredo Health Coalition, and private physicians and together we urge all Laredoans to learn more about Diabetes. A proclamation for Diabetes will be held on November 15, 2004 at 4:30pm at City Council Chambers.

For more information please contact Gabriela Carriedo at (956) 795-4938 or e-mail: gcarriedo@ci.laredo.tx.us

What is Diabetes?

People with diabetes have a shortage of insulin or a decreased ability to use insulin, a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be converted to energy. When diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood and, over time, damage vital organs. Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, pregnancy complications, lower—extremity amputations, and deaths related to flu and pneumonia. Particularly at risk for these complications are the 5.2 million Americans who are unaware that they have diabetes.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 most often appears during childhood or adolescence. Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and physical inactivity, accounts for 90%–95% of diabetes cases and most often appears among people older than 40. However, it is no longer considered an adult-only disease. Type 2 is now being found at younger ages and is even being diagnosed among children and teens.

Who is Affected?

Diabetes has its greatest effects on the elderly, women, and certain racial and ethnic groups. One in five adults over age 65 has diabetes. African American, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native adults are two to three times more likely than white adults to have diabetes.

In addition to the millions of Americans with diabetes, an estimated 16 million U.S. adults aged 40–74 have prediabetes—that is, their blood sugar level is elevated but is not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk for developing diabetes.

What are the Consequences?

Diabetes costs the nation nearly $132 billion a year—$92 billion in direct medical costs and another $40 billion in indirect costs due to lost productivity. The average yearly health care cost for a person with diabetes was $13,243 in 2002, compared with $2,560 for a person without diabetes. Diabetes costs represented 11% of national health care expenditures during 2002.