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PHOM Indicator Profile Report of Diabetes Prevalence

Why Is This Important?

More than 185,000 Utah adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that can have devastating consequences. It is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower-extremity amputation and kidney failure. It is also the leading cause of blindness among adults younger than 75. It is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Diabetes places an enormous burden on healthcare resources. Nationally, approximately $245 billion is spent annually: $176 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion in indirect medical costs (disability, work loss, and premature death; see [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23468086/ Economic costs of diabetes in the U.S. in 2012]. In Utah, more than a billion dollars each year is spent on direct and indirect medical costs of diabetes. Currently, about 80 million Americans aged 20 and older have prediabetes, a condition that puts them at high risk for developing diabetes. For many individuals, taking small steps, such as losing 5-7% of their weight or increasing physical activity, can help them delay or prevent developing diabetes.

Adults With diabetes by Local Health District, Utah, 2021

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Wasatch County and Southwest Local Health Districts had a lower rate than the state. San Juan Local Health District had a rate that was higher than the state. The overall age-adjusted rate for the state was 8.4%.

Data Sources

  • The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Data Notes

"Don't know" and "Refused" responses were eliminated from the denominator. In 2016, Utah BRFSS modified its methodology for age adjustment for increased precision. With this change Utah is consistent with both the U.S. and other states using IBIS. Data has been updated from 2011 onward in all chart views to reflect this change.   [[br]] [[br]] Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population.

Risk Factors

Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for developing diabetes. The risk of developing diabetes can be substantially reduced through weight loss and regular physical activity. The Diabetes Primary Prevention Study showed that weight loss and participation in regular physical activity can significantly decrease the risk. The clinical trial included over 3,000 people who had impaired fasting glucose and were at an increased risk for developing diabetes. Participants who engaged in moderately intense physical activity for 30 minutes per day and lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight decreased their risk of diabetes dramatically. This behavioral activity was effective for all participants in the study, regardless of age or ethnic group (see [https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/diabetes-prevention-program-dpp?dkrd=prspt1922 Diabetes Prevention Program, NIH]). Some risk factors cannot be modified, such as older age or membership in a minority racial or ethnic group. Nevertheless, risk can be substantially reduced through adhering to a nutritious diet and participating in regular physical activity.

How Are We Doing?

The rising prevalence of diabetes in Utah appears to be slowing. However, many Utah adults are overweight or obese, and/or lead sedentary lifestyles, adding to the number of people at risk for developing diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar rates are elevated but not yet high enough to reach the clinical threshold of a diabetes diagnosis. An estimated 86 million Americans age 20 and older have prediabetes. Unless those individuals take steps to reduce their risk of diabetes, such as increasing physical activity, eating a more nutritious diet, or losing weight, the majority will have diabetes within 10 years.

What Is Being Done?

The Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) program encourages people with diabetes to enroll in a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) class. These classes have been shown to help individuals develop the skills they need to manage their diabetes and are usually taught by registered dietitians, registered nurses, or pharmacists, who may also hold the status of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES). CDCES have considerable expertise in diabetes management and understand what the individual with diabetes is going through. The Utah Arthritis Program supports Chronic Disease Self-Management programs and Diabetes Self-Management programs throughout the state, this program is also called the Living Well with Chronic Conditions program. This 6-week program is available throughout the state at no cost and taught by community members. Information is available from Nichole Shepard, 801-538-6259, nshepard@utah.gov. More information is available on the [https://livingwell.utah.gov/ Living Well Utah website]. The HEAL program is working statewide to increase the number of locations that offer DSMES and also promote DSMES to eligible participants. The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is an evidence-based program to prevent type 2 diabetes. The HEAL program works with statewide partners to promote the National DPP to eligible Utahns and also is working to expand National DPP sites across the state.

Healthy People Objective: Reduce the annual number of new cases of diagnosed diabetes in the population

U.S. Target: 7.2 new cases per 1,000 population aged 18 to 84 years
State Target: 7.2 new cases per 1,000 population aged 18 to 84 years

Date Indicator Content Last Updated: 11/28/2022


Other Views

The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.state.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Thu, 28 March 2024 5:53:11 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.health.state.gov ".

Content updated: Wed, 30 Nov 2022 12:41:19 MST