07.25.17

New Diabetes Research from Gallup and Sharecare

According to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, the national prevalence of diabetes climbed to a new high of 11.6% in 2016, up from 10.6% in 2008. If the diabetes rate had held steady at its 2008 level, 2.5 million fewer U.S. adults would have the disease today.

Key findings in the new Gallup-Sharecare State of Well-Being: The Face of Diabetes in the United States report reveals that some groups including seniors, those with low income, and middle-aged blacks and Hispanics are approaching or even exceeding a 20% diabetes rates.

Additional insights include:

  • Diabetes rates rise alarmingly with age; seniors (age 65 and up) have a 23.6% prevalence of diabetes.
  • Among regions in the U.S., the South has the highest prevalence of diabetes (12.8%); the West has the lowest prevalence (10.3%).
  • Among the four major race and ethnic groups in the U.S., the diabetes rate is highest among blacks (14.7%) and lowest among Asians (5.7%).
  • Income and education levels have an inverse relationship with diabetes — prevalence falls as education and income levels rise.
  • Among occupations, transportation workers have the highest self-reported diabetes rate, while physicians have the lowest rate.

To learn more, click the download button and click on The Face of Diabetes in the United States.