Diabetes More Common in US

In health news that is not related to autism, the CDC has published a report that the prevalence of diabetes in the United States has risen sharply over the past fifteen years.  This report estimates that 8.2% of the adult population suffers from diabetes in 2010, up from 4.5% percent in 1995.

Yes, you read that figure correctly - roughly 1 out of every 12 adults in the US now has diabetes.

The CDC gives a few possible reasons for the increase -

1. Improved survival of people with diabetes.  Deaths among US adults with diabetes declined substantially over the same time period.
2. An actual increase in the number of cases.  
3. Changes in diagnostic criteria, demographics, and lifestyle.
4. Enhanced detection.

The report also notes that  the increase of diabetes coincides with the increase in obesity across the United States, although it does not draw any firm conclusions from the association.

And just to drive the point home, here is a chart of how the prevalence of diabetes has changes over the past 15 years.  I think the trend is rather clear, don't you?