Health Indicator Report of Diabetes Prevalence
More than 150,000 Utahns have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that can have devastating consequences. It is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower-extremity amputation and renal failure. It is also the leading cause of blindness among adults younger than 75. It is one of the leading causes of heart disease. Diabetes places an enormous burden on health care resources, approximately $245 billion is spent annually [in direct medical costs ($176 billion) and in indirect costs ($69 billion) such as disability, work loss, and premature death]. (See [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23468086 Economic costs of diabetes in the U.S. in 2012]). In Utah, more than a billion dollars each year are spent on direct and indirect costs of diabetes. Currently, about 80 million Americans aged 20 and older have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at high risk for developing diabetes. For many individuals, taking small steps, such as losing 5-7 percent of their weight or increasing physical activity, can help them delay or prevent developing diabetes.
In 2017, the age-adjusted rate for Hispanic adults was 10.8%, compared to 7.1% for non-Hispanic adults.
Adults With Diabetes by Ethnicity, Utah, 2017
Notes"Don't know" and "Refused" responses were eliminated from the denominator. In 2016, Utah BRFSS modified its methodology for age adjustment for increased precision. With this change Utah is consistent with both the U.S. and other states using IBIS. Data has been updated from 2011 onward in all chart views to reflect this change. [[br]][[br]]Rates are age-adjusted and standardized to the U.S. 2000 population.
Data SourceUtah Data: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Office of Public Health Assessment, Utah Department of Health
Data Interpretation IssuesThe Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the primary source for estimating diabetes prevalence for Utah. The BRFSS is a telephone survey (with interviews using both landline and cell phones) that includes only adults 18 and over.
DefinitionPercentage of Utah adults (18+) diagnosed with diabetes.
NumeratorNumber of Utah adults who reported being told by a health care professional that they have diabetes (excludes women who were told they had diabetes only during pregnancy or those who reported they had "borderline" or prediabetes).
DenominatorUtah adults 18 and over.
Healthy People Objective D-1:Reduce the annual number of new cases of diagnosed diabetes in the population
U.S. Target: 7.2 new cases per 1,000 population aged 18 to 84 years
State Target: 7.2 new cases per 1,000 population aged 18 to 84 years
Other ObjectivesHealthy People 2020 (HP 2020) emphasizes reducing the incidence of diabetes. HP 2020 Objective D-1 is "Reduce the annual number of new cases of diagnosed diabetes in the population."
How Are We Doing?The rising prevalence of diabetes in Utah appears to slowing. However, many Utah adults are overweight or obese, and/or lead sedentary lifestyles, adding to the number of people at risk for developing diabetes. A large number of individuals have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar rates are elevated but not yet high enough to reach the clinical threshold of a diabetes diagnosis. An estimated 86 million Americans age 20 and older have pre-diabetes. Unless those individuals take steps to reduce their risk of diabetes, such as increasing physical activity, eating a more nutritious diet, or losing weight, the majority will have diabetes within 10 years.
How Do We Compare With the U.S.?According to the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Utah adults have an age-adjusted rate of 7.5% of diagnosed with diabetes, compared to the U.S. age-adjusted rate of 9.9%. (Note: An age-adjusted rate is an artificial rate that "adjusts" for differences in age distributions between populations).
What Is Being Done?The Healthy Living through Environment, Policy, and Improved Clinical Care (EPICC) Program encourages people with diabetes to enroll in a diabetes self-management education class. These classes have been shown to help individuals develop the skills they need to manage their diabetes and are usually taught by dietitians, nurses, or pharmacists, who may also hold the status of Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). CDEs have considerable expertise in diabetes management and understand what the individual with diabetes is going through. The Utah Arthritis Program supports Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs and Diabetes Self-Management Programs throughout the state. (This program is also called the Living Well with Chronic Conditions Program.) This six-week program is available throughout the state at no cost and taught by community members. Information is available from Nichole Shepard, 801-538-6259, firstname.lastname@example.org. More information is available at [http://livingwell.utah.gov/ livingwell.utah.gov].
Evidence-based PracticesDiabetes Self-Management Classes have been shown to improve blood sugar control among participants. In Utah, programs are available that are recognized by the American Diabetes Association or certified by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Information on classes in Utah is available at [http://livingwell.utah.gov/ livingwell.utah.gov].
Available ServicesThe American Diabetes Association (ADA) is an excellent resource for all types of information on diabetes. Call 1-800-DIABETES or visit the website at [http://www.diabetes.org]. The National Diabetes Education Program ([https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/communication-programs/ndep]) has resources for diabetes management for professionals, businesses, and patients. Most materials are available upon request at no charge. The Utah Department of Health has a Health Resource hotline: 1-888-222-2542. Please call this number for information about self-management programs in Utah. The Healthy Living through Environment, Policy and Improved Clinical Care (EPICC) website provides information of diabetes self-management classes. For information, please visit [http://www.choosehealth.utah.gov/your-health/lifestyle-change/dsme.php]. Association of Diabetes Educators [[br]] [http://www.diabeteseducator.org][[br]] 800-338-3633 American Heart Association[[br]] 1937 S. 300 W. #120[[br]] Salt Lake City, UT 84115[[br]] (801) 484-3838 or[[br]] 1-800-242-8721[[br]] [http://www.heart.org]
Health Program InformationThe Utah Department of Health Resource Line can provide information about enrolling in diabetes self-management classes. Call 1-888-222-2542 for more information.
Page Content Updated On 11/06/2018, Published on 11/14/2018