WORLDWIDE CONTACT US ABOUT US INVENTING FOR LIFE PRODUCTS RESEARCH LICENSING NEWSROOM CAREERS INVESTORS Home UNDERSTANDING DIABETES Diabetes is a chronic disease and a growing health issue. IN THE U.S. More than 30 MILLION Americans have diabetes 9.4% of the U.S. population 7 TH leading cause of death in the U.S. More than 30 million Americans – 9.4% of the U.S. population – have diabetes. A 2010 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projected that as many as one in three U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050 if current trends continue. IT'S PERSONAL “Sometimes I'm still surprised when I think about my diagnosis. My name is Karen Bachert, and I have type 2 diabetes.” READ KAREN'S STORY PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES SHOULD SET INDIVIDUAL GOALS TO MANAGE THE ABCS OF DIABETES: A IS FOR A1C, B IS FOR BLOOD PRESSURE AND C IS FOR CHOLESTEROL Find out why it's important to know your ABCs by visiting www.AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com. KNOW THE TESTS: SELF-MONITORING BLOOD SUGAR AND A1C People with type 2 diabetes need both blood sugar self-tests and A1C tests to help them and their doctors understand their blood sugar control because these tests measure blood sugar in different ways. Self-tests show a person with type 2 diabetes his or her blood sugar level at the time of the test. The A1C test shows average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Both tests will help people with type 2 diabetes and their doctors set goals that are right for them. Learn more at AmericasDiabetesChallenge.com. FOCUS ON LOWERING A1C VIEW INFOGRAPHIC DIABETES RESOURCES American Diabetes Association CDC — Diabetes Public Health Resource National Diabetes Education Program Merck Engage America's Diabetes Challenge Updated May 2018 Copyright. © 2009-2018 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map