According to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 29 million people within the US (approximately 9.3% of the population) have diabetes. This includes 21 million people who have been diagnosed with the disease, but another eight million — nearly 28% of those with diabetes — have not been diagnosed. Globally, diabetes affects more than 100 million people.
The physical and financial impact of the disease is staggering: Just a few of the major health consequences of diabetes are kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and blindness among adults. The American Diabetes Assn. has estimated that the total health care cost of diagnosed diabetes is around $250 billion.