From Vital and Health Statistics of the National Center for Health Statistics February 12, 1986 � Number 114 

I

1 Prevalence, Impact, and Demography of Known Diabetes 

in the United States 

by Thomas F. Drury, Ph. D., and Anita L, Powell, Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion 

Based on information obtained from the 1982 National 

Health Interview Survey (NHIS), in 1982 there were approximately 5.8 million persons in the civilian noninstitutionalized 

population of the United States with known diabetes—a rate of 

25.4 known diabetics per 1,000 population. Because these 

1982 NHIS estimates of known diabetes are based only on a 

one-sixth subsample, this report presents more detailed information on the prevalence, impact, and demography of known 

diabetes in the United States based on three one-third subsamples of the NHIS sample for whom diabetes information 

was collected during the 1979-81 time period. A brief description of the procedures used is given in the Technical notes 

section of this report. 

Variations in the prevalence of 

known diabetes 

Known diabetes is relatively more common among older 

persons (figure 1). Even at?er taking this age differential into 

account, known diabetes is also proportionately more common 

among females, black people, the less educated, and those with 

low family incomes. Central city residents have a higher rate of 

known diabetes than metropolitan area residents outside the 

central city. Among the regions, the South has the highest rate 

of known diabetes; the West, the lowest. Table 1 shows average 

annual estimates of the prevalence of known diabetes by age 

and selected characteristics for 1979–8 1. Table 2 shows the 

rates of known diabetes per 1,000 population during this same 

time period, 

Impact 

Table 3 summarizes four different sets of indicators of the 

impact of diabetes. While only about 15 percent of the general 

population is limited in their activities due to one or more 

chronic conditions or impairments, over half of all known diabetics are so limited (table 3), and this higher likelihood of 

limitation of activity among diabetics is only partially due to 

the older ages of diabetics (table 4). For about 3 out of 10 

diabetics their diabetes is either the main or secondary cause of 

some activity limitation (table 3). About 13 percent of diabetics 

stayed in bed all or most of the day for one or more times 

during the past 12 months. 

As a group, diabetics averaged about 20.8 restricted activity 

days per year due to their diabetes, but only about 6.4 bed 

disability days and 3.1 work-loss days because of their diabetes. 

However, the small number (13 percent) of all diabetics with 

one bed disability day or more in the past year averaged substantially higher rates of bed disability days (41.2 per person 

per year). 

Virtually all known diabetics have seen a physician at 

some time in their lives for their diabetes, and better than four 

out of five (87 percent) visited a physician one time or more in 

the past year for their diabetes. Only about a third (34.6 percent) have ever been hospitalized for their diabetes, but as 

many as three out of four (76.1 percent) were taking medicine 

or were under treatment recommended by a physician for their 

diabetes. 

About one out of five ( 19.7 percent) reported being bothered 

all the time by their diabetes; somewhat fewer (14.5 percent) 

were bothered a great deal by their diabetes. About 7 percent 

were bothered a great deal all of the time by their diabetes. In 

the general population only about 14 percent of persons were 

perceived to be in poor or fair health. Among diabetics, however, about half (50.8 percent) were perceived to be in fair or 

poor health. Even with age taken into account, diabetics were 

at least twice as likely as persons in the general population to 

have such unfavorable health assessments (table 4). 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service 
..%%%%

2 

Female Male 

:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.::::: Totalt r 25.6 23.7 ..

....................... . . 

Age 7 

0.7 Leas than 17 years 

87.9 

17-44 yeara 

45-64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............................

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.... .......................O...”.”.”. 65-74 years .%..%%%% . . . . . ........%. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . ........”.”.”.”.”.”.”.”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 yeara and over 5.3 

Racel 

White ............................ ..................%... .........y..:.:.: Black .2 33.7 ................................ . . . . . 

.:.:.x+:.~..:.:.)x.x.w+:

........................................ Other 

Hispanic originl 

%....%....%%....%”. Hispanic 

23.6 Non-Hispanic 

Education of 

individual 

36.9 ..............................................:. . 

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. Less than 12 years 50.6 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 years 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . More than 12 years 

Marital statusl 

. . . .V.w.w.%:.m.:.x .:. 33.0 ..

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............................. ... Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................................................. .,.../..O........................................ Formerly married .3 38.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Never married 

Family income’2 

.......................................... Less than $7,000 40.5 32.1 “:”:”:”:”:”:”:”:”:”:”x”:”:”:”:”:”:”:”:”: 

::::~.::::~.::::::: $7,000-$9,999 27.2 . . . ..... ...................... 

27.2	 .::fi.:=”~.:~ $1 0,000–$1 4,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........%..............%. $15,000-$24,999 25.4 .............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.4 :A%:MYWIX $25,000 or more 

Location of residence 11 q 

.. %..%..”. 27.3 :.:.%%.. ....... ............ Central city 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

:::: 23.0 ~

:::::::::::::::::::::::::Outside central city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Nonfarm 

..................../O.. 20.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . Farm 

Geographic region’ 

23.9 Northeast 

North Central 

25.1 South .2 

I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I 1 I I [ 

100 80 60 40 20 0 o 20 40 60 80 100 

West 

Rate per 1,000 population Rate per ,000 population 

lAge adjusted by the direct method to the 1979-81 civilian noninstitutional ized population using 5 age groups. 

‘Data are for 1981 only. 

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics: Computed by the Oivision of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from 1979-81 National Health Interwew Survey 

data provided by the Division of Haalth Interview Statistics. 

Figure 1. Average annual number of persons with known diabetes per 1,000 population by sex and selected sociodemographic characteristics 

United Statea, 1979-81 
:::::: ....

ackmdab3 

Some of these measured impacts, including limitation of is important to realize that the relatively small proportion (30 

activity, restricted activity days due to diabetes, and being percent) of diabetics who are limited in activity due to their 

bothered a great deal all of the time by diabetes, are relatively diabetes account not only for a disproportionate share (44.7 

more common among older diabetics. Other impacts, such as percent) of restricted activity days due to all acute and chronic 

bed disability caused by diabetes, annual physician visits, and conditions, but also for an even greater disproportionate share 

lifetime hospitalization experiences for diabetes, are propor- (68.4 percent) of restricted activity days due specifically to 

tionately more common among younger diabetics. diabetes. Figure 2 summarizes these findings graphically for all 

In evaluating diabetics’ levels of restricted activity days, it diabetics. 

Percent distribution of diabetics (base= 5,429,000) Percent distribution of restricted activity days due to 

acute and chronic conditions (base = 343,044,000) 

Percent distribution of restricted activity days due 

to diabetes (base= 11 2,855,000) 

EiElDiabetes main cause of limitation of activity

D

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... . Diabetes aeconda~ cause of limitation of activity ... . 

R Other condition or impairment csuse of limitation 

of activity 

. :::::: Not limited in activity due to chronic condition El ...... or impairment 

SOURCE: National Center for Health Ststiatics: Computed by the Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from 1979-81 National Hsalth Interview Survey 

dsts providad by the Division of Health Interview Statistics. 

Figure 2, Percent distribution of diabetics and of selected types of restricted activity days by limitation of activity dua to diabetes and other 

causes: United States, 1979-81 
:::::::: :.:.:.:. :::::::: ..:+:.:.: ..

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...

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:.:.:.:.: ........

:.:.: ::::: .../.

4 

Demography higher and the proportion of white diabetics is lower than their 

proportions by race in the general population. About 6 percent 

Diabetics as a group are much older than the general pop- of all diabetics are of Hispanic origin, and about 15 percent are 

ulation in the United States (figure 3), and a smaller proportion black. The population pyramids shown in figure 3 contrast the 

of them are males (table 5). Although the vast majority of dia- age-sex structure of the known diabetic subpopulation with that 

betics are white persons, the proportion of black diabetics is for the general population according to race. The pyramids in 

General population Diabetics 

Male Baae=219,565,000 Female Male Base = 5,429,000 Female 

Age in years All races Age in years 

80 and :; 80 and 

over	 ....../...........

.. over ..................... ..../.... 70-79 ...........

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. 70-79 

................ ::::::::::yjj:::: :::::::::::: 60-69 :.:.:.:.:.x.: .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: 60-69 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. 

50-59 .............................. 50-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ::::::::::::::: 

40-49 ::::::::::::::: 40-49 

.............................. 

:.:.: 

30-39 ::::: 30-39 

:: ...................... 20-29 :: 20-29 ............ q ..........+...........+. ........................- 10-19 10-19 

............. 0-9 0-9 !H Base = 189,530,bO0 Base = 4,512,000 

Age in yeara 

White \ Age in yearsl 

: 80 and :: 80 and 

:. over :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:over 

:::: 70–79 :::: 70-79 ::::::::::::::::::::::: 

........... .................................... :.- 60-69 

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. ......... ..................%%
 60-69
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 .............. :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
 :.:.x.:.: .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-59 .............. 50-59 :.:.x.)x. :.:.:.:.:.: .y. ........//. . :.:.:.:.:.:.:. ....../... ... .............. .............. 40-49 . . . . . . . . . . .;.; 

:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. 

.................. .................. 30-39 ~ 30-39 

. . . . . . . . . :: :.:...:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: 

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. 20-29 q :: 20-29 

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:::::::::::::: 40-49 

:yjjj::::::::: ::: 10-19 10–19 

...................... ... . ........... . ................... . . . . . . . . . 0-9 o-9 

i 

:.:.~..:. :.x 11

Base = 834,000 Base = 25,876,000 Black 

1A,ge in years \Age in years! 

80 and k 

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80 and 

over over 

70-79 70-79 

60-69 60-69 4

:.:.:.:.:.:.:.x.:.:.:.:.:.:. 

.../ 50–59 50-59 ...... ....................... 

:.>....:.:.:.:. 

:::::::::::::::: 40–49 40-49 ................. 

::$$~ 30-39 30-39 ......... 

20-29 .... :.:.:20-29 :x 

. 10-19

0-9 

I I 1 I I I I I I I I -i I I 

Percent

410-19 

~~ 

Percent 

20 151050 

II0-9 

0 5 10 15 20 20151050 05101520 

Percent Percent 

SOURCE National Center for Health Statistics: Computed by the Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from 1979-81 National Health Interwew Sum lay 

dsta provided by the Division of Health Interview Statistics. 

.- —---

Figure 3. Age-sex composition of the general population and of diabetics by race United States, 1979-81 
achfancedata 5 

Genaral population 

Male Basel =21 9,565,000 Female Age In years � White :::~ 75 and over :.:.:.:.x.:.:.:.:.:.: ....................../. 60-74 � Black .

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. 45–59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............%.. . . . . . . . . .

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. 30-44 ........................ ....................................... :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:. 15–29 ........................>...

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Diabetics 

Basel = 5,429,000 

25 20 15 10 5 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 

Percent Percent 

1Includes other races not shown separately. 

2Qu~ntity ZerO for black children and Fouths. 

SOURCE: Nstionsl Center for Health Statistics Computed bythe Division of Epidemiology snd Health Promotion from 1979–81 National Health lntewiew Suwey 

data provtded by the Division of Health lntewiew Statistica. 

Figure4. Age-sex-race composition oftiabetics andthegeneral population: United States, l979-8l 

figure4 contrast the age-sex-race structure of the known diabetic A majority of diabetics 17 years and over are currently 

subpopulation with that for the general population. married (table 5), but in specific age categories of diabetics 45 

Among persons 17 years andover, diabetics are less ed- years and over, men are much more likely to be married than 

ucated than the general population, as measured by the number women (table 6). About 65 percent of diabetics 17 years and 

of completed years of schooling (table 5). About one-third of over live with a spouse, while living with relatives or living


diabetics 17 years and over are actively involved in the work alone are about equally likely living arrangements. The largest


force on a regular basis. However, such participation is sub- share of diabetics reside in the South; the smallest share, in the


stantially higher among younger diabetics and declines sharply West (table 5). A majority of diabetics resides in metropolitan


with age (table 6). At all ages, diabetic men are much more areas, but are about equally divided among central city resi­


likely than diabetic women to be in the work force, a situation dents, metropolitan area residents outside the central city, and


seen as well in the general population. Diabetics, particularly nonfarm residences outside metropolitan areas.


men under 65 years of age and women of all ages, are more


likely than the general population to live in families with low


annual incomes (tables 5–6).

6 

References 

‘National Center for Health Statistics, S. S. Jack and P. W. Ries: 

Current estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, United 

States, 1979. Vital and Health Statistics. Series 10, No. 136. DHHS 

Pub. No. (PHS) 81-1564. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S. 

Government Printing Oilice, Apr. 1981. 

zNational Center for Health Statistics, S. S. Jack current estimates 

from the National Health Interview Survey, United States, 1980. Vital 

and Health Statistics. Series 10, No. 139. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 

82-1567. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S. Government 

Printing Office, Dec. 1981. 

sNational Center for Health Statistics, B. Bloom: Current estimates 

from the National Health Interview Survey, United States, 1981. Vital 

and Health Statistics. Series 10, No. 141. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 

82-1569. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S. Government 

Printing Oftice, Oct. 1982. 

4A, S. Krolewski and J, H. Warram: Epidemiology of Diabetes 

Mellitus, in A. Marble, L. P. Krall, R. F. Bradley, A. R. Christlieb, 

and J. S. Soeldner, eds., Joslin’s Diabetes Mellitus, 12th ed. Philadelphia. Lea and Febiger, 1985, pp. 12-42. 

‘L. P. Krrdl, P. S. Entmacher, and T. F. Drury: Life Cycle in Diabetes: 

Socioeconomic Aspects, in A. Marble, L. P. Krall, R. F. Bradley, 

A. R. Chnstlieb, and J. S. Soeldner, eds., Joslin’s Diabetes Mellitus, 

12th ed. Philadelphia. Lea and Febiger, 1985, pp. 907-936. 

6M. I. Harris: Prevalence of Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes and 

Impaired Glucose Tolerance. In Diabetes in America. NIH Pub. No. 

85-1468. Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, Aug. 1985, 

pp. VI-I-39. 

7T. F. Drury, K. M. Danchik, and M. I. Harris: Sociodemographic 

Characteristics of Adult Diabetics. In Diabetes in Amen”cu. NIH Pub. 

No. 85-1468. Washington. U.S. Government Printing Ofiice, Aug. 

1985, pp. VII-1-37. 

‘T. F. Drury: Disability Among Adult Diabetics. In Diabetes in 

America. NIH Pub. No. 85–1468. Washington. U.S. Government 

Printing Office, Aug. 1985, pp. XXVIII-l–22. 

9T. F. Drury, P. A. Erickson, and A. L. Powelh Self-Assessed Health 

Status of Adult Diabetics. In Diabetes in America. NIH Pub. No. 

85-1468. Washington. U.S. Government Printing Oflice, Aug. 1985, 

pp. XXIII- l-1 2. 
7 

Table 1. Average annual number of persona with known diabetes by ege and selected sociodemographic characteristics: United States, 

1979-81 

[Data are based on annual one-third subaamples of National Health Interview Swvey household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population] 

Age 

17 years and over 

65 years and over 

All All 

Under persons persons 75 years 

All 17 17 years 17-44 45–64 65 years 65-74 and 

ages years and over years years and over years over 

Number of persons with known diabetes in thousands 

Totalt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,429 53 5,376 848 2,406 2,123 1,338 785 

Sex 

Male. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,357 ’20 2,336 350 1,146 840 583 258 

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,072 *32 3,040 497 1,259 1,283 756 527 

Race 

4,512 47 4,465 684 1,942 1,839 1,148 691 

917 *6 911 164 463 284 190 94 

834 *6 828 157 408 262 172 90 

Hispanic originz 

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 *5 325 65 197 64 42 22 

Non. Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,072 42 5,030 778 2,204 2,048 1,292 757 

Education of individual 

Less than 12 yeara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,.. . . . 2,745 237 1,146 1,360 820 541 

12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,502 319 810 372 261 92 

More than 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 933 267 380 286 185 102 

Marital status 

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,510 573 1,741 1,196 886 309 

Formerly married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,520 117 554 850 410 440 

Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 158 111 77 40 37 

Education of head of family 

Less than 12 years, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,723 *7 2,7?6 275 1,165 1,276 794 482 

12ye.9rs. i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,428 *29 1,399 263 727 409 273 137 

More than 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,038 *I7 1,021 274 413 334 208 126 

Family income3 

Less than $7,000, , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,453 *6 1,447 147 470 414 416 

$7,000-$ 9,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586 *z 586 69 254 263 197 66 

$10,000-514,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 828 *23 805 64 396 346 253 93 

$15,000-$ 24,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 952 *12 941 231 417 293 191 102 

$25,0000 rmore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190 *34 1,156 298 63 216 127 89 

Location of residence 

SMSA4. . .,, ,,, ,,, , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,604 35 3,569 578 1,661 1,330 636 494 

Central ity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,684 *12 1,672 264 789 619 230 

Outaide central city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,920 *23 1,897 314 672 711 447 264 

Outaide SMSA4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,625 *I6 1,807 270 745 793 502 291 

Nonfarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,681” *lo 1,671 262 687 723 446 277 

Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 *8 137 *8 59 70 56 14 

Geographic region 

Northeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,205 *9 1,196 171 533 491 313 179 

North Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,415 *14 1,402 239 627 536 305 232 

South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,981 “24 1,957 265 914 758 515 244 

West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 827 *5 622 152 332 337 207 131 

1ln~lude~ unk”~wn Hispanic origin, education of individual, marital status, aducation of head of family, and familY income. 

‘Excludes persona of unknown Hispanic origin.


3Data are for 1961 only, because i“formatio” on annWI family income is only available for broad income categories and iS technically difficult to adiust for inflation over


the 3-year time period.


4SMSA = standsrd metropolitan statiNiCd area.


SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics: Computed by the Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from 1979–81 National Health Interview Suwey data


provided by the Division of Health Interview Statistics.

8 

Table 2. Avarega annual number of persons with known diabetes par 1.000 population by age and selected sociodemographic characteristics: 

United States, 1979-81 

[Data are baaed on annual one-third subsamples of National Health Interview Survsy household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionelized population) 

Characteristic 

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Sex 

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Race 

White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Another . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Hispanic origin 

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Education of individual 

Less than 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

More than 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Marital status 

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Formerly married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Education of head of family 

Less than 12yaars ., ., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

12 years.....,,....,......,.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

More than 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Family incomez 

Less than $7,000..............,.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$7,000-$ 9,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$10,000- $14,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$15,000-$ 24,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$25,0000 r more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Location of residence 

SMSA3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Central ity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Outside central city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Outside SMSA3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Nonfarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Geographic region 

Northeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

North Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Age 

17 years and over 

65 years and over 

All All 

Under parsons persons 75 years 

All 17 17 yaars 17-44 45-64 65 years 65-74 and 

ages years and over years years and over years over 

Number of persons with known diabetes per 1,000 population 

24.7 0.9 33.3 9.1 55.0 88.4 87.7 89.4 

22.2 “0.7 30.7 7.7 55.0 85.1 87,9 79.3 

27.0 “1.1 35.7 10.4 55.1 90.7 87.7 95.3 

23.8 1.0 31.6 8.5 49.9 84.3 83.4 86.0 

30.5 ‘0.6 45.9 12.8 97.4 127.7 128.4 126.5 

32.2 “0.7 48.8 14.5 99.9 129.8 129.3 130.9 

22.2 ‘1.0 33.1 9.4 88.7 84.9 84.5 85.6 

25.0 0.8 33.4 9.0 53.3 88.4 87.9 89.3 

. . . . . . 57.0 11.7 77.7 104.0 104.7 102.9 

. . . . . . 25.0 8.5 46.9 65.6 69.6 56.0 

. . . . . . 18.8 7.8 33.6 68.9 64.6 78.6 

. . . . . . 34.2 10.4 50.5 90.9 91.4 89.5 

. . . . . . 60,9 14.0 77.7 89.4 87.6 91.1 

. . . . . . 10.3 5.2 52.9 56.8 47.3 72.9 

41.0 “0.5 54.2 12.8 73.9 99.2 100.7 96.8 

18.9 *1.3 25.9 7.7 50.9 72.9 71.5 75.9 

14.2 “0.9 19.0 7.5 33.0 72.6 68.1 81.5 

45.0 “0.8 59.7 12.3 102.9 108.1 98.9 119.7 

34.7 “0.0 45.9 11.0 90.0 72.1 80,7 54.7 

27.2 *2.9 35.8 4.9 71.9 90.3 93.1 83.7 

18.5 “0.8 25.9 9.7 44.4 96.7 89.1 115.2 

16,4 *1.8 21.4 8.7 38.5 73.1 62.5 97.2 

24.1 0.9 32.2 8.9 55.2 86.2 85.4 87.6 

27.7 “0.8 36.8 10.0 65.9 86.9 88.2 84.9 

21.6 ‘1.0 29.0 8.1 48.1 85.6 83.1 90.1 

26.1 “0.9 35.8 9.5 54.6 92.2 92.0 92.7 

26.2 ‘0.6 36.2 10.0 56.4 92.5 90.2 96.5 

24.9 *5.2 31.7 *3.9 39.8 89.7 109.5 52.5 

24.9 “0.8 33.0 8.5 51.4 85.6 86.0 84.9 

24.3 *0.9 33.0 9.6 55.1 86.8 78.8 100.1 

27.5 *1.2 37.4 9.4 64.7 95.6 100.9 861 

20.2 “0.5 27.2 8.4 42.2 80.7 77.9 85.6 

‘Includes unknown Hispanic origin, education of individual, marital status, education of head of family, and family income. 

2Dataarefor 1981 only, bacause information on annual family income isonlyavailable for broad income catagorias and istschnically difficult toadjust forinflat[on over 

the 3-year time period.


3sMSA = standard metropolitan statistical area.


SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics: Computed bythe Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from l979-8l National Health lntewlew Survey data 

provided bythe Division of Health Interview Statistics. 
aduancedata 9 

Table 3. Impact of known diabates by age and salected health status indicators: United States, 1979-81


[Data are baaed on annual one-third subsamples of National Health Interview Survey housahold interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population]


Indicator 

Disability status 

Persons with limitation of activity due to one or more chronic 

conditions or impairments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Persons for whom diabetes is a cause of limitation of 

activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Persons with one bed day or more in the past year for 

diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Disability days 

Restricted activity days duatodiabetea per parson per 

year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Bed days due to diabetes per person per year . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Beddaya duetodiabetes perpersonhavingl bed day 

ormorein thepast year for diabetes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Work-loss days due to diabetes per currently employed 

peraonwith diabetes peryear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Medical cara 

Persona who have ever seen a physician for diabetes. . . . . . . 

Persons with 1 ormorephysician visits inthepast year for 

diabetea . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..!...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Persona ever hospitalized for diabetea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Persons taking medicine or treatment recommended by their 

physician for diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Perceived impact 

Persons bothered all the time by diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Persons bothered a great deal by diabetes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Persons bothered a great deal by diabetea all the time. . . . . . 

Persons reported to beinfair or poor health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Persons with known diabetes 

17 years and over 

65 years and over 

All All 

Under persons persons 75 years 

All 17 17 years 17-44 45–64 65 years 65-74 and 

ages years and over years years and over years over 

Percent 

56.0 30.7 56.2 35.6 55.3 65.7 62.4 70.9 

30.5 21.6 30.6 24.7 31.5 32.0 33.2 30.0 

12.7 43.2 12.4 17.8 12.0 10.8 11.9 9.0 

Number 

20.8 18.7 20.8 15.4 19.7 24.2 28.0 17.7 

6.4 14.1 6.4 4.3 6.2 7.4 5.7 10.3 

41.2 26.7 41.7 18.1 37.4 62.7 39.8 114.0 

3.1 . . . 3.1 3.2 3.6 0.6 0.7 

Percent 

99.7 100.0 99.7 99.6 99.7 99.7 99.8 99.5 

87.0 93.2 87.0 85.0 87.0 87.8 87.7 88.1 

34.6 77.6 34.2 48.8 33.3 29.4 30.0 28.5 

76.1 73.7 76.2 65.6 75.1 81.5 83.1 79.0 

19.7 19.2 19.7 14.3 20.7 20.8 21.4 19.7 

14.5 8.8 14.7 16.3 15.5 12.8 13.3 11.9 

6.6 4.0 6.7 5.0 6.6 7.2 7.9 6.0 

50.8 20.2 51.0 38.8 55.7 50.7 52.9 46.9 

SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics: Computed bythe Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from 1979-81 National Health interview Survey data 

provided bythe Division of Health lntewiew Statistics. 
10 

Table4, Age-adjusted average annual percent ofpersona with limitation ofectiviW end fair orpoorhealth eaaeaaments bytiabaticatatua: 

United Statea, 1979-81 

Indicator General population Diabetics 

Age.adjusted percent! 

Limited in activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.5 41,5 

Unable toperform usual activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7 8.8 

Limited inamount andkindofuaual activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 21.1 

Limited, butnotin usual activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5 11.6 

Reported to beinfair orpoor health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.6 38.6 

lAge adjusted by the direct method to the 1979-81 civilisn noninstitutionalized population using 5 age groups. 

SOURCE National Center for Health Statistics: Computed by the Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from 1979-81 National Health Interview Survey data 

provided by the Division of Health Interview Statistic. 

I 
Table 5. Number of persons by diabetic status and age, and average annual percent distribution of persons by selected sociodemographic characteristics, according to diabetic status and age: 

United States, 1979-81 

[Data are based on annual one-third subsampfes of Nat,onal Health Intewtiew Survey household interwewa of the civilian nonmatnutronal!zed popu!atlonl 

All ages 17 years and over 17-44 years 45-64 years 65 years and over 

General Known General Known General Known General Known General Known 

Characteristic populatiorrl diabetics populatiorr~ diabetics population diabetics populatiorrl diabetics population’ diabetics 

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

TotalZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Sex 

Male . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Race 

White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Another . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Hispanic origin 

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Education of individual 

Less than 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

More than 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Marital status 

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Formerly married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Never married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Family income3 

Less than $7,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$7.000–$93999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$10,000-$ 14,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,., ,, .,,,,,.,,. 

$15,000-$ 24,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

$25,0000 r more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Location of residence 

SMSA4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Central ity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Outside central city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Outside SMSA4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Nonfarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

See fcmtnotea and source at end of table. 

Number in thousands 

219,573 5,429 161,268 5,376 93,514 848 43,726 2,406 240,289 2,123 

Percent distribution 

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

48.2 43.4 47.2 43.5 48.6 41.3 47.7 47.6 41.1 39.8 

51.8 56.6 52.8 56.5 51.4 58.7 52.3 52.4 58.9 60.4 

86.3 83.1 87.7 83.1 86.2 80.7 89.1 80.7 90.7 86.6 

13.7 16.9 12.3 16.9 13.8 19.3 10.9 19.3 9.3 13.4 

11,8 15.4 10.5 15.4 11.6 18.6 9.3 17.0 8.3 12.3 

6.8 6.1 6.1 6.1 7.4 7.7 5.1 8.2 3.1 3.0 

93.2 93.9 93.9 93.9 92.6 92.3 94.9 91.8 96.9 97.0 

. . . 31.0 54.0 22.3 30.0 35.1 50.0 58.2 68.3 

. 37.8 28.4 41.0 38.1 38.5 34.0 24.2 17.9 

. . . . . . 31.2 17.6 36.8 31.9 26.4 16.0 17.6 13.8 

. .	 . . . 64.0 65.3 59.2 67.6 78.9 72.4 55.5 56.4 

. . . 14.8 28.3 8.7 13.7 16.4 23.0 38.8 40.0 

. . . 20.7 6.4 32.0 18.6 4.7 4.6 5.6 3.6 

15.9 29.0 16.3 29.3 13.6 18.2 11.7 21.5 35.9 42.6 

8.2 11.7 8.4 11.9 6.6 8.5 7.5 11.6 17.3 13.5 

15.6 16.5 15.5 16.3 15.0 7.9 14.5 18.2 19.5 17.7 

24.9 19.0 24.0 19.1 26.4 28.5 23.2 19.1 14.9 15.1 

35.4 23.8 36.0 23.4 38.4 36.9 43.1 29.5 12.7 11.1 

68.3 66.4 68.7 66.4 69.7 68.2 68.6 69.0 64.7 62.7 

27.5 31.0 28.0 31.1 27.8 31.1 27.6 32.8 29.8 29.2 

40.8 35.4 40.7 35.4 42.0 37.1 41.0 36.2 34.9 33.5 

31.7 33.6 31.3 33.6 30.3 31.8 31.4 31.0 35.3 37.3 

29.1 31.0 28.6 31.1 28.1 30.8 28.0 28.5 32.1 34.0 

2.6 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.2 0.9 3.4 2.4 3.1 3.3 
Table 5. Number of persons by diabetic status and age, and average annual percent distribution of persons by selected sociodemographic characteristics, according to diabetic status and age 

United States, 1979–81 —Con. 

[Data are based on annual one-thfrd subsamples of Nat!onal Health Intewlew Survey household !nterwews of the ciwlrarr rronlnstitutionalized population] 

All ages 17 years and over 1 7–44 years 45-64 years 65 years and over 

General Known General Known General Known General Known General Known 

Characteristic population~ diabetics population 1 diabetics population 1 diabetics population diabetics population~ diabetics 

Geographic region Percent distribution 

Northeast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.0 22.2 22.3 22.2 21.4 20.2 23.4 22.2 23.9 23.1 

North Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.4 26.1 26.4 26.1 26.5 28.2 26.2 26.0 26.2 25.3 

South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.8 36.5 32.4 36.4 32.4 33.6 32.4 38.0 32.5 35.7 

West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.8 15.2 18.9 15.3 19.6 18.0 18.0 13.8 17.4 15.9 

1Data are for the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Data for nondiabetics are not shown separately because they are virtually equivalent to the results for the general population. 

2Excludes unknowns for Hispanic origin, education of individual, marital status, and family income. 

3Data are for 1981 only, because information on annual family income is only available for broad income categories and is technically difficult to adjust for inflation over the 3-year time period. 

4SMSA = standard metropolitan statistical area. 

SOURCE Nat[onal Center for Health Statistics: Computed by the Division of Epidemiology and Haalth Promotion from 1979-81 National Health Intarview Survey data provided by the Division of Health Interview Statistics. 
Table 6. Number of persons by sex, disbetic status, and age, and average annual percent distribution of persons 17 years and over by selected sociodemograpftic characteristics, according 

to sax, diabetic status, and age: United States, 1979–81 

[Data are based on annual one-third subsamples of National Health Interview Survey household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population] 

17-44 years 45–64 years 65– 74 years 75 years and over 

Characteristic 

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

TotalZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Marital status 

Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Formerly married . . 

Never married . . . . . . . . . . 

Living arrangement 

With spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . 

With other relatives. . . . . . 

With nonrelatives . . 

Alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Labor force status 

In labor force . . . . . . . . . . . 

Notin Iabor force . . . . . . . . 

Employment status3 

Currently employed 

Currently unemployed 

Family income4 

Less than $7,000 . . . . . . . .


$7,000–$9,999 .


$10,000-$ 14,999 . . . . . . .


$1 5,000–$24,999. . . . . . .


$25,000 or mora .


General Known General 

population diabetics population 

Men Women Men Women Men Women 

45,461 48,052 350 497 20,848 22,878 

100.0 100.0 I 00.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

57.5 60.9 67.5 67.7 84.9 73.4 

6.2 11.1 12.2 14.8 9.9 22.3 

36.3 28.0 20.4 17.4 5.1 4.3 

56.8 60.1 67.5 66.1 84.1 72.8 

28.5 29.3 20.0 27.7 6.3 14.0 

4.9 3.8 5.0 1.7 1.2 1.0 

9.8 6.8 7.6 4.5 8.4 12.2 

89.5 67.6 85.3 55.6 81.8 51.3 

10.5 32.4 14.7 44.4 18.2 48.7 

93.2 90.9 93.1 90.2 86.2 95.7 

6.8 9.1 6.9 9.8 3.8 4.3 

12.2 15.0 14.3 22.2 9.0 14.2 

6.0 7.1 6.2 10.8 5.9 9.0 

14.7 15.3 7.1 8.6 13.2 15.7 

27.1 25.8 32.1 24.9 23,7 22.7 

40.1 36.8 40.2 33.5 48.2 38.4 

Known General Known General Known 

diabetics population~ diabetics population~ diabetics 

Men Women Men 

Number in thousands 

1,146 1,259 6,630 

Percant distribution 

100.0 100.0 100.0 

82.8 62.9 82.0 

11.8 33.2 13.3 

5.4 3.9 4.6 

81.5 62.4 81.1 

6.4 21.2 6.1 

1.3 1.2 0.8 

10.8 15.3 12.0 

64.1 32.2 26.6 

35.9 67.8 73.4 

97.2 95.4 96.2 

2.8 4.6 3.8 

13.6 28.5 21.3 

9.4 13.6 18.2 

17.5 18.8 23.9 

23.5 15.3 20.5 

36.0 23.8 16.1 

Women Men Women Men Women Men Women 

8,621 583 756 3,245 5,532 257 527 

100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 

51.1 84.6 52.3 68.6 23.1 73.1 22.8 

42.8 12.9 44.4 26.5 70.6 21.8 72.7 

6.2 2.6 3.3 4.9 6.3 5.1 4.5 

50.5 84.3 51.2 66.7 22.4 71.6 22.1 

15.7 6.7 19.7 10.9 27.3 11.2 27.8 

1.2 0.7 2.6 1.1 1.8 0.0 1.7 

32.6 8.3 26.5 21.3 48.6 17.2 48.3 

13.5 20.7 9.6 12.0 3.6 7.2 1.8 

86.5 79.3 90.4 88.0 96.4 92.8 98.2 

96.7 96.7 92.1 94.4 90.2 100.0 59.7 

3.3 3.3 7.9 5.6 9.8 0.0 40.3 

35.5 22.7 46.0 39.8 51.6 48.9 56.5 

17.8 12.9 20.1 19.6 14.1 8.4 8.7 

19.7 28.2 15.4 18.9 13.3 17.0 10.2 

14.1 20.6 12.2 12.6 10.8 14.5 12.9 

12.9 15.6 6.4 9.1 10.2 11.2 11.7 

1Data are for the civilian noninatitutionalized population. Data for nondiabetics are not shown separately because they are virtually equivalent to the results for the general population.


‘Excludes unknown marital status, labor force status, and employment status.


3For persons in the labor force.


41ncludes only data for 1981.


SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics: Computed by the Division of Epidemiology and Health Promotion from 1979-81 National Health Interview Survey data provided by the Oiviaion of Health Inte!view Statiatica.

14


Technical notes 

The data presented in all tables in this report were derived 

from a subsample of household interviews of the National 

Health Interview Survey. These interviews were conducted in 

a probability sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. During calendar years 1979–81, 

questions about diabetes, included in two of the six chronic 

condition checklists administered each year, were asked in approximately 39,615households, representing one-third of the 

total number of the households interviewed during 1979–81. 

More detailed descriptions of the sample design and copies of 

the questionnaires used in collecting data on the prevalence, 

impact, and demography of known diabetes are shown in other 

NCHS publications.1-3 

Because the estimates shown are based on a sample of the 

population, they are subject to sampling error. Table I shows 

standard errors for estimates of the number of persons with 

known diabetes or other characteristics. Table II shows stanTable 1. Standard errors of estimates of aggregates 

Standard error 

Size of estimates in thousands in thousands 

35	 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

300. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

500. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 

1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 

5,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 

10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 

20,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 

30,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 

150,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 

NOTE: A list of referencesfollowsthe text. 

Table Il. Standard errors, expressed in percentage points, of 

estimated percents 

Estimated percents 

2 or 5 or 10 or 30 or 

Base ofpements in thousands 98 95 90 70 50 

200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 2.8 3.8 5.9 6.4 

300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 2.0 3.1 4.8 5.2 

400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 1.9 2.7 4.1 4.5 

500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 1.8 2.4 3.7 4.0 

1,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 1.2 1.7 2.6 2.9 

2,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 0.9 1.2 1,8 2.0 

5,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.3 

10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.8 0,9 

20,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.6 

30,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.5 

50,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4 0.4 

dard errors appropriate for percents, including the percent of 

persons with known diabetes, and the percent of known diabetics with various characteristics. 

Estimates of diabetes based on household reports are limited to conditions individuals know about and are willing to 

report. Moreover, although it is widely recognized that the 

term “diabetes mellitus” refers to a heterogeneous group of 

disorders that have glucose intolerance, it is not possible to 

tabulate National Health Interview Survey diabetes data to 

identifi different types of diabetes. Because it is estimated that 

general population samples are composed mainly of noninsulindependent diabetics, one should be cautious in generalizing the 

descriptions in this report to insulin-dependent diabetics. More 

extensive discussions of these and other aspects of diabetes in 

the United States, including estimates of the number of persons 

with undiagnosed diabetes, are available,4-9 
ackmdaa 15


Symbols 

.-. Data not available 

. . . Category not applicable 

Quantity zero 

0.0 Quantity more than zero but less than 

0.05 

z	 Quantity more than zero but less than 

500 where numbers are rounded to 

thousands 

* Figure does not meet standard of 

reliability or precision 

#	 Figure suppressed to comply with 

confidentiality requirements 
16


Recent Issues of Advance Data 

No. 113. Provisional Data From the Health Promotion and Disease 

Prevention Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey: 

United States, January-March 1985 

No. 112, 1984 SwmnarjK National Hospital Discharge Survey (Issued 

Sept. 27, 1985) 

No, 111. An Overview of the 1982 National Master Facility Inventory Survey of Nursing and Related Care Homes (Issued September 

1985) 

Suggested citetion 

National Center for Health Statistics: Prevalence,


impact, and demography of known diabetes in the


United States. Advance Data From Vital and Health


Statistics. No. 114. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS)


86-1250. Public Health Service, Hyattsville, Md.,


February 12, 1986.


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From Vital and Health Statistics 

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and Ovec National Medical Care Survey, 1980 end 1981 (Issued 

August 1985) 

No. 109. Hospital Use by Children: United States, 1983 (Issued 

May 23, 1985) 

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