Type 2 diabetes happens when your body does not make or 

use insulin well. It is usually diagnosed in adults. Some factors 

that put you at higher risk for type 2 diabetes include:

Who is aected by diabetes?

Over 1 in 10 adults in the United States are living with type 1 or 

type 2 diabetes. Racial and ethnic minorities and other diverse 

groups have a high burden of diabetes and diabetes-related 

complications. For example, American Indian/Alaska Native 

adults are almost three times more likely than non-Hispanic 

white adults to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes products cleared or approved by the FDA

People living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes use glucose 

meters and test strips to monitor their blood sugar every day. 

The results help you determine your daily adjustments in 

treatment, know if you have high or low levels of glucose, and 

understand how your diet and exercise change your glucose 

levels.

People living with type 1 diabetes need to give themselves 

insulin shots every day to stay alive and healthy. They can also 

receive small, steady doses of insulin throughout the day using 

an insulin pump or an automated insulin dosing device. 

 

Many people with type 2 diabetes may need to take diabetes 

medications. These may include pills, insulin, or other 

injectable medications. 

Diabetes and clinical trials 

The FDA encourages diverse participation in clinical trials. If 

you think a clinical trial may be right for you, talk to your health 

care provider. You can also search for clinical trials in your area 

at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

For more information on health equity, visit

www.fda.gov/healthequity.

Fact Sheet

Diabetes is a disease that happens when your blood sugar level is too high. An estimated 30 million 

people in the United States are living with diabetes. About 1 in 4 people living with diabetes don’t know 

they have it. Diabetes disproportionately aects racial and ethnic minorities and other diverse groups. 

Oce of Minority Health and Health Equity 

DIABETES

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that happens when the level of 

glucose in your blood (blood sugar) is too high. Insulin is a 

hormone made by the pancreas that helps move sugar out 

of your blood and into your cells for energy. If you have 

diabetes, your body doesn't make or use insulin well. 

Symptoms of diabetes include: 

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.

Type 1 diabetes happens when your body does not make 

insulin because your immune system attacks and destroys 

the cells that make insulin. Although it can appear at any 

age, type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and 

young adults. You are at higher risk for type 1 diabetes if you 

have a parent, brother, or sister with type 1 diabetes. 

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, eectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other 

biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and products that give o 

electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

Increased thirst and urination

Increased hunger

Fatigue

Blurred vision

Sores that do not heal

Unexplained weight loss

Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands

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Being overweight or obese

Being 45 years or older

Not being physically active

Having a family history of diabetes 

Ever having gestational diabetes 

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