Diabetes: Critical Facts Every Patient Must Understand
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent and consequential chronic diseases in the United States and around the world. More than 34 million Americans — approximately 10.5 percent of the population — are living with a diagnosis of this condition, and an estimated 88 million more have prediabetes, a state that can progress to full metabolic disease without intervention. Despite how common the illness is, it remains widely misunderstood, and the gap between what patients know and what they need to know can have serious consequences for their health.
At FOMAT Medical, we see the impact of this chronic condition every day in the communities we serve across the United States. Hispanic and Latino Americans are among the groups at highest risk, and connecting these communities to clinical research opportunities and accurate health information is central to our mission. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what the disease is, who it affects, what it does to the body, and what the future of treatment looks like.
What Is Diabetes and How Does It Develop?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels — a result of either insufficient insulin production, impaired insulin function, or both. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates how the body converts glucose from food into energy. When this process is disrupted, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream rather than being absorbed by cells, leading to the range of complications that define the illness.
There are several distinct types. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. People with this form produce little to no insulin and require lifelong insulin therapy. While it is most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents, it can develop at any age.
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, is primarily driven by insulin resistance — a state in which the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin. It is strongly associated with lifestyle factors including obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet, though genetic predisposition also plays a significant role. This form is typically diagnosed in adulthood but is increasingly being identified in younger populations.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy in women who did not have the condition beforehand. While it typically resolves after delivery, it significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 later in life — for both the mother and the child.
The Scope of the Problem
Globally, this disease was responsible for an estimated 4.2 million deaths in 2019 alone, representing approximately 8.5 percent of all deaths that year according to the International Diabetes Federation. These numbers reflect not only direct deaths from related complications but also the contribution of uncontrolled blood sugar to cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and other serious conditions.
In the United States, the burden is significant and growing. The CDC estimates that beyond the 34 million Americans already diagnosed, millions more remain undiagnosed — a particularly concerning reality given that the condition can cause serious organ damage for years before producing noticeable symptoms.
Why This Condition Causes Such Serious Health Problems
Chronically elevated blood glucose levels damage the body’s organs and systems in multiple ways. The cardiovascular system is among the most severely affected — this metabolic disease is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease, as sustained high blood sugar promotes the buildup of plaque in blood vessels.
Nerve damage, known as neuropathy, is another common consequence of poorly controlled blood sugar. It most often affects the hands and feet, producing numbness, tingling, and pain. Over time, severe neuropathy can lead to foot ulcers, infections, and in some cases amputation.
The kidneys are also highly vulnerable. This illness is the leading cause of kidney failure in the United States. High blood sugar damages the small blood vessels within the kidneys, progressively impairing their ability to filter waste — a process that can end in the need for dialysis or transplantation. The eyes face similar risk, with diabetic retinopathy representing the leading cause of blindness among working age adults in the U.S.
The condition also impairs immune function, making patients more susceptible to infections and slower to heal from wounds. For pregnant women, uncontrolled blood sugar increases the risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and birth defects.
Understanding these risks is not meant to frighten — it is meant to motivate. The vast majority of complications are preventable or significantly delayed through effective disease management.
Who Is Most at Risk
Certain populations face substantially higher rates of this condition than others. Being overweight or obese is one of the strongest individual risk factors, as excess body fat drives insulin resistance. A sedentary lifestyle compounds this risk, as does a diet high in processed foods, sugary beverages, and refined carbohydrates.
Age matters as well. The risk increases substantially after age 45, though younger people are increasingly affected as obesity rates have risen. Family history plays a meaningful role, as does ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanic and Latino Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders all face higher rates than the general population — a disparity driven by a combination of genetic factors, social determinants of health, and unequal access to preventive care.
Can People Live Well With This Condition?
Yes — and many do. With proper management, individuals with diabetes can and do live for decades. Effective self care includes maintaining target blood glucose levels through diet, physical activity, and medication or insulin therapy; monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol; attending regular medical appointments; and staying informed about new treatment options.
Technology has transformed management significantly. Continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and closed loop systems have dramatically improved quality of life for many patients with type 1. For type 2, newer medication classes including GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors have shown significant benefits not only for blood sugar but also for cardiovascular and kidney outcomes.
There is no cure at present, though research into beta cell transplantation, immunotherapy, and stem cell based approaches continues to advance. Meaningful remission is achievable in many type 2 patients through sustained lifestyle change — particularly significant weight loss — though this requires long term commitment and ongoing medical support.
The Role of Clinical Research in Advancing Diabetes Care
Progress in treating this condition has always depended on clinical trial participation. The medications and technologies that have improved millions of lives were developed and validated through the work of patients who enrolled in studies. That process continues today, with active trials investigating new drug combinations, delivery systems, prevention strategies, and approaches to the disease in underserved populations.
For more information on current statistics and resources, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides regularly updated data on prevalence, trends, and outcomes.
Participate in Diabetes Research With FOMAT Medical
At FOMAT Medical, we conduct Phase I through Phase IV endocrinology and metabolic studies across our national network of clinical trial sites throughout the United States. Our community based approach is specifically designed to reach patients who are often underrepresented in clinical research — including the Hispanic and Latino communities who carry a disproportionate burden of this disease.
If you or someone you know is living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and may be interested in learning about active studies, explore our endocrinology clinical trials.