Diabetes death rates are falling across the U.S.
May 23, 2012- The Centers for Disease Control announced that the death rate for stroke and heart disease of American adults who have diabetes has fallen by 40%. The center said the decline was due to patients treating their diabetes better and because treatments have improved.
The decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease were the highest, nevertheless, rates dropped among diabetic adults overall by 23% from the period 1997 through 2006.
The lead author for the study, Edward Gregg from the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, said, “Diabetes can cause a number of complications and life spans tend to be shorter. The fact the study uncovered significantly lower death rates for both women and men were quite encouraging.”
Today, fewer diabetics smoke compared to the past and many more are more active physically. Although, it did note that among diabetics, the obesity rate has increased. Other reasons that have contributed to longer life spans for diabetics are controlling high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Data of over 250,000 patients was examined for the study. Despite a substantial decline in the diabetic deaths due to cardiovascular disease, the current rate is twice that of those who do not have the disease, CDC officials said.
Diabetes diagnosed during middle age can reduce the individual’s life expectancy by as much as 10 years. However, as treatments improve and individuals take better care of themselves, that number could narrow significantly.
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