Defeat Diabetes Month
Defeat Diabetes
Photo credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich/ Pexels.com
April is Defeat Diabetes Month, an
annual observance led by the Defeat Diabetes Foundation to raise awareness
about the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes [1]. With diabetes now
affecting millions of people worldwide, this month is an opportunity to
understand how the disease develops, recognize the risk factors, and take
practical steps to reduce your chances of developing it or to better manage it
if you already have it.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition
that occurs when the body cannot properly regulate blood glucose (sugar)
levels. Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy, and its regulation
depends on insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps move
glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it is used for energy [2].
There are several types of
diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system
attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, resulting in little or no
insulin production [2]. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for over 90% of all
diabetes cases, occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the
pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose
levels [2-4]. A third form, gestational diabetes, can develop during pregnancy
and usually resolves after delivery, although it increases the mother’s
long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes [2].
This article focuses on type 2
diabetes because it is the most common form and, importantly, is largely
preventable.
A Growing Global and
National Crisis
The scale of the diabetes epidemic
is staggering. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
Diabetes Atlas (11th edition, 2025), 589 million adults aged 20 to 79 are
currently living with diabetes worldwide, approximately 1 in 9 adults [3]. This
number is projected to rise to 853 million by 2050 [3]. In 2024, diabetes was
responsible for an estimated 3.4 million deaths globally, equivalent to one
death every 9 seconds [3]. Perhaps most concerning, more than 4 in 10 adults
with diabetes are unaware they have the condition, placing them at higher risk
of complications [3].
In the United States, the numbers
are equally alarming. According to the most recent National Diabetes Statistics
Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 40
million Americans (about 1 in 8) are living with diabetes [4]. An estimated 11
million of them are undiagnosed [4]. An additional 115.2 million American
adults have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher
than normal but not yet high enough for a diabetes diagnosis [4]. Among adults
with prediabetes, 8 in 10 do not know they have it [5].
This matters because prediabetes is
a critical window of opportunity. Research has shown that lifestyle changes,
including modest weight loss and increased physical activity, can reduce the
risk of progressing from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes by more than 50% [5].
Understanding How Type 2
Diabetes Develops
Type 2 diabetes does not appear
overnight. It develops gradually, often over many years, through a process that
begins with insulin resistance [2].
In a healthy body, the pancreas
releases insulin after a meal to help cells absorb glucose from the
bloodstream. In insulin resistance, cells in the muscles, liver, and fat tissue
do not respond effectively to insulin. The pancreas compensates by producing
more insulin, but over time, it cannot keep up with the increased demand. As a
result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading first to prediabetes and
eventually to type 2 diabetes [2].
Several factors contribute to the
development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Some of these are
modifiable, meaning they can be changed, while others are not.
Risk Factors of Diabetes
Modifiable Risk Factors (Risk Factors You Can Change)
Being overweight or obese: Excess body weight, particularly
fat stored around the abdomen, is one of the strongest risk factors for type 2
diabetes. Abdominal fat increases insulin resistance and contributes to chronic
inflammation that impairs the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose [6]. The
Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study on chronic kidney disease also
identified high body-mass index as one of the top three drivers of kidney
disease burden globally, alongside high fasting plasma glucose and high
systolic blood pressure [7].
Physical inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle reduces the
body’s ability to use insulin effectively. Regular physical activity helps
muscles absorb glucose from the bloodstream, lowers blood glucose levels, and
improves insulin sensitivity [6].
Unhealthy diet: Diets high in refined
carbohydrates, added sugars, and processed foods contribute to weight gain and
increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, diets rich in whole grains,
fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats support better blood glucose
control [8].
Smoking: Tobacco use is associated with a
higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Smokers are 30% to 40% more likely
to develop diabetes than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the number of
cigarettes smoked [6].
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors (Risk Factors You Cannot Change)
Family history: Having a parent or sibling with
type 2 diabetes increases your risk. However, knowing your family history
allows you to be proactive about screening and prevention [6].
Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes
increases with age, particularly after age 45. However, type 2 diabetes is
increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, adolescents, and even children,
driven largely by rising rates of childhood obesity and physical inactivity
[4].
Race and ethnicity: In the United States, type 2
diabetes is more prevalent among certain racial and ethnic groups [4].
History of gestational diabetes: Women who developed diabetes during
pregnancy have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later
in life. About 50% of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2
diabetes [4].
When Diabetes Goes Unmanaged: Understanding the Complications
Diabetes is not just about high
blood sugar. Over time, persistently elevated blood glucose damages blood
vessels and nerves throughout the body, leading to serious complications that
can affect nearly every organ system [9].
The heart and blood vessels: People with diabetes are two to
three times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease compared to those
without diabetes [10]. This includes heart attack, stroke, and peripheral
artery disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among
people with diabetes [10].
The kidneys: High blood glucose damages the
small blood vessels in the kidneys responsible for filtering waste from the
blood. In the United States, approximately 45% of new cases of kidney failure
are caused by diabetes [11]. For a deeper look at how diabetes affects the
kidneys and what you can do to protect them, you can read my recent article on
chronic kidney disease at https://www.dredeh.com/2026/03/chronic-kidney-disease.html.
The eyes: Diabetic retinopathy, caused by
damage to the blood vessels in the retina, is one of the leading causes of
blindness in working-age adults. One in three people with diabetes will develop
some form of vision loss during their lifetime [12]. Regular eye exams can
detect retinopathy early, and timely treatment can prevent or significantly
delay diabetes-related vision loss [12].
The nerves: Diabetic neuropathy is one of the
most common complications of diabetes. Nerve damage, particularly in the feet
and legs, can cause pain, numbness, and loss of sensation. When combined with
poor blood flow, this significantly increases the risk of foot ulcers,
infections, and in severe cases, lower limb amputation [9]. Globally, a lower
limb is lost to diabetes-related amputation every 30 seconds [12].
These complications are not
inevitable. With proper blood glucose management, regular screening, and timely
treatment, the risk of developing these complications can be significantly
reduced [9].
What You Can Do:
Prevention and Early Detection
The most powerful message of Defeat
Diabetes Month is that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. Even for those
who already have the condition, good management can prevent or delay serious
complications. Here are the key steps you can take.
Know your numbers: Ask your healthcare provider about
testing your blood glucose. The three main tests used to diagnose diabetes and
prediabetes are fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the oral glucose tolerance test
(OGTT), and the hemoglobin A1C test, which measures your average blood glucose
over the past two to three months. An A1C of 5.7% to 6.4% indicates
prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes [13].
Maintain a healthy weight: Even modest weight loss of 5% to 7%
of body weight can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
in people with prediabetes. The CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention
Program has demonstrated that lifestyle changes focusing on healthy eating and
physical activity can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 50% [5].
Stay physically active: The Physical Activity Guidelines
for Americans recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic
activity per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. Physical
activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps control blood glucose levels
[14].
Eat a balanced diet: Focus on whole, minimally processed
foods. Choose whole grains over refined carbohydrates, incorporate plenty of
fruits and vegetables, and limit added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. The
Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium intake to less than
2,300 milligrams per day [8].
Do not smoke: If you currently smoke, quitting is
one of the most impactful steps you can take. Smokers are 30% to 40% more
likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with
the number of cigarettes smoked. Quitting also lowers your risk of heart
disease, stroke, and kidney disease [6].
Get screened regularly: If you are 35 or older, or if you
have risk factors such as being overweight, having a family history of
diabetes, or belonging to a higher-risk racial or ethnic group, talk to your
healthcare provider about diabetes screening. The American Diabetes Association
recommends screening for type 2 diabetes in all adults beginning at age 35, and
earlier for those with risk factors [13].
Protect Yourself: Key
Takeaways
Know your risk. Family history, being overweight,
physical inactivity, age, and race or ethnicity all influence your risk for
type 2 diabetes.
Routine screening. Prediabetes has no symptoms. A
simple blood test can tell you where you stand. If you have prediabetes, you
have the opportunity to act before it becomes diabetes.
Make small, lasting changes. You do not need to overhaul your
entire life. Small, consistent changes to your diet and activity level can make
a significant difference.
Manage your condition if you have
diabetes. Work
with your healthcare team to control your blood glucose, blood pressure, and
cholesterol. Take your medications as prescribed and attend regular check-ups.
Screen for complications. If you have diabetes, get regular
screenings for kidney disease, eye disease, and nerve damage. Early detection
of complications can prevent serious outcomes.
Know that prevention works. Research consistently shows that
type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. The steps you take today can
change the course of your health for years to come.
This
April, take a moment to learn your risk, talk to your healthcare provider, and
share this information with someone you care about. If you are unsure about
your risk, a conversation with your healthcare provider is the best place to
start.