Stagnation in Diabetes Rates Among U.S. Adults Observed Over Past Decade

Recent research indicates that there has been no significant change in the prevalence of diabetes among adults in the United States over the last decade. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, focusing on individuals aged 20 years and older from 2013 to 2023.

In total, the study involved 24,263 participants, with 4,623 diagnosed with diabetes. The findings revealed that the prevalence of diabetes remained relatively stable, fluctuating from 12.8% in the 2013-2014 period to 14.1% in 2021-2023. However, the study highlighted a concerning trend regarding glycemic control among those with diabetes.

While mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were stable between 2013 and 2020, they showed a significant increase from 2017 to 2023, rising from 7.31% to 7.60%. This deterioration in glycemic control was further reflected in the overall control rates, which decreased from 54.3% to 43.5% during the same time frame.

Particularly alarming was the data concerning younger adults aged 20 to 44 years, who experienced a marked increase in mean HbA1c levels, jumping from 7.43% to 8.51%. This age group also saw a dramatic decline in glycemic control rates, which fell from 57.4% to 37.1%. In contrast, older age groups did not exhibit similar patterns of change.

Given the stagnation in improvements in diabetes-related mortality rates among younger adults and the heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes linked to poor glycemic control, there is an urgent need for enhanced public health initiatives and policies aimed at better diabetes management, particularly among younger populations.