Diabetes is a leading cause of disability & death
Diabetes occurs when the body accumulates too much glucose (sugar) in the blood, leading to serious health problems including cardiovascular disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
Over 490,000 Minnesota adults have diabetes
In 2024, 10.1% of Minnesota adults were living with diabetes. While diabetes can't be cured, it can be managed—and type 2 diabetes can be prevented through physical activity, healthy eating, and avoiding tobacco.
Many don't know they're at risk
As many as 1 in 3 Minnesotans have pre-diabetes, with blood glucose higher than normal and greater risk of developing diabetes. Nine in ten people with pre-diabetes don't know they have it. Additionally, 1 in 10 Minnesotans with diabetes are undiagnosed, meaning they're not working with healthcare providers to control their condition and reduce risks of heart and kidney disease.
Learn more about diabetes, and what is being done about it in Minnesota:
-
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Diabetes Program supports diabetes prevention and management activities statewide.
-
The American Diabetes Association of Minnesota prevents and addresses diabetes through public education and support for those living with diabetes and pre-diabetes. (https://diabetes.org/tools-resources/get-connected)
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a diabetes impact tool-kit with state-level data. Diabetes Prevention IMPACT Toolkit-CDC.
For data describing the impact of diabetes on Minnesotans across the state and by characteristics like race, ethnicity, social vulnerability, and veteran status, visit:
-
The Chronic Disease Prevalence Dashboard for information about the percentage of people living with diabetes.
-
The Chronic Disease Hospitalization Dashboard for information on rates of hospitalizations caused by diabetes.
-
The Chronic Disease Mortality Dashboard for information on rates of death due to diabetes.