Diabetes Most Prevalent in Southern United States

Diabetes Most Prevalent in Southern United States: Diabetes prevalence is highest in the Southern and Appalachian states and lowest in the Midwest and the Northeast of America. Diabetes mellitus is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately 70,000 annual deaths. This is the first study to estimate what the true level of diabetes disease is in every state and how the different states perform in terms of diagnosed versus undiagnosed diabetes. Age-standardized diabetes prevalence was highest in Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia, ranging from 15.8% to 16.6% for men and 12.4% to 14.8% for women. The lowest prevalences were found in Vermont, Minnesota, Montana, and Colorado, just 7% for women in the Northeast and some Western states. According to the study, states like Minnesota and Alabama with the highest estimated diabetes prevalence also have the highest levels of blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk. Diabetes prevalence and diagnosis in US states: analysis of health surveys. Population Health Metrics, 2009