1 in 3 May Have Diabetes by 2050
The U.S. diabetes rate could double or even triple in the next 40 years, health officials say. If trends continue, as many as 1 out of 3 adults could have the disease by 2050. So says a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report’s lower-end estimate was 1 out of 5, still double the current rate. These are much higher than previous numbers. That’s partly because they include people who have diabetes but don’t know it, one author told the Associated Press. Researchers also used new population growth estimates for some groups. Finally, the numbers reflect some good news â the fact that people with diabetes are living longer. Diabetes growth has been closely tied to population aging and obesity. Risk of type 2 diabetes is higher among people who are older or overweight. The journal Population Health Metrics published the report online October 22.