Diabetes

There is an increased prevalence of diabetes in the US, as it is predicted that by 2050, 1 in 3 US adults will be affected. According to the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia, Diabetes is "common, disabling, and deadly." Among adults, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country, as 8.3% of the United States population is affected (25.8 million diagnosed cases, 7.0 million undiagnosed cases). 

Diabetes is characterized by a shortage of insulin, a decreased ability to use insulin, or both, in the body. In patients with diabetes, glucose (and fats) are not taken up properly by the cells, and therefore remain in the blood. This can be very damaging to vital organs over time. There are many types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is usually first diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes accounts for roughly 5% of the diabetic population. This type of diabetes is thought to be caused by genetics or environmental factors. Type 2 diabetes is that which effects roughly 90%-95% of the diabetic population, and is mostly diagnosed in older patients. It is thought to be associated with family history, obesity, inactivity, and old age, and can be prevented by making healthy food choices, staying physically active, and not gaining a lot of weight. This type of diabetes varies by race and ethnicity. Gestational diabetes is that which forms in pregnant women, and is usually cured with delivery. It is a form of glucose intolerance that is most prevalent in minorities, as well as women who are already prone to diabetes (family history, obesity, etc). In addition, there are other types of diabetes that account for less than 5% of all diabetes cases. 

Incidence rates of diabetes are increasing. In 2010, 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 20 years or older. With more people affected, there will be an increase in problems caused by diabetes, such as blindness, kidney failure, and amputations of feet and legs (not related to accidents or injury). I find it interesting to study the effects of diabetes on the US population not only because it is one of the leading causes of death in the country, but also because it leads to other injuries (such as those listed above), which can socially effect those affected with the disease. In general, a person with diabetes as a shorter life expectancy. Further, diabetics have twice the risk of dying on any given day as a person of similar age without diabetes. 

According to the CDC, diabetes is both preventable and controllable. With the proper education, one can learn how to prevent the disease early on in life. Another reason why diabetes is an interesting disease to study is because with proper intervention, public health officials can control and hopefully reduce its prevalence. On average, diabetics spend more than twice as much on medical expenses than those who are unaffected. By controlling or preventing diabetes, public health officials could also help people save a lot of money. Unlike many of the other leading causes of death in the US, diabetes is one that which public health officials, if properly intervened (education, policies, guildines), can push out of the leading causes of death in the future. 

http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/ddt.htm