An estimated 16 million Americans, about 6 percent of the US population, have diabetes. An estimated 18 percent of the US population, over 65 years old, has diabetes. Women have a slightly higher prevalence of diabetes. The Pima Indians of Arizona, USA, are more likely to develop diabetes. One-half of adult Pima Indians have diabetes.
Complications resulting from diabetes can be very serious and can also be delayed or prevented.
Following are statistics about long-term complications of diabetes. Heart Disease and Stroke People with diabetes are 2-4 times as likely to die from heart disease and strokes as people who don't have diabetes. Heart disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related deaths. Eye Disease and Blindness Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20-74 years. Diabetic retinopathy causes from 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year.