Scope of the problem
· One in four Minnesotans either have diabetes or are at high risk of developing it.
· Each year, more than 26,000 Minnesotans are newly diagnosed with diabetes.
· Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in Minnesota[i].
· African Americans and American Indians are respectively more than 2 and 3 times more likely to develop diabetes than the general population.
· New immigrants to Minnesota, such as Hmong and Somalis, face increased risk for diabetes. Diabetes prevalence and risk is increasing among Minnesota’s Hispanic/Latino Americans[ii].
Risk factors
Among adult Minnesotans without diabetes, significant, common and potentially preventable risk factors place many at risk for developing diabetes:
· 3 in 5 are overweight or obese.
· 1 in 2 have sedentary lifestyles.
· 1 in 4 have no leisure time physical activity.
· 1 in 5 are current smokers[iii].
At the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), The Minnesota Diabetes Program aims to address diabetes prevention and control, eliminate diabetes health disparities, and improve the health of all people in Minnesota by reducing the impact of diabetes.
For more information
For more information on diabetes programs and resources in MN, visit the Minnesota Department of Health Diabetes Program.
