New York State Department of Health Highlights Importance of Knowing Your Risk On World Diabetes Day
Department Encourages New Yorkers to Take CDC Prediabetes Risk Test
New Statistics on Diabetes & Prediabetes Here and Here
ALBANY, N.Y. (November 14, 2023) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes November 14 as World Diabetes Day, during National Diabetes Month in November, with a reminder that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed and knowing your risk can improve health and save lives.
"Prediabetes affects millions of New Yorkers, including those in communities that have historically faced barriers to health services that have led to health inequities and disproportionate impacts from diabetes," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "On this World Diabetes Day, the Department is encouraging all New Yorkers to take the CDC Prediabetes Risk Test and take the first step toward better health by knowing your prediabetes risk."
Prediabetes is a condition in which an individual's blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Around one in three (34.5%) adults in the United States have prediabetes. Using this number, as many as 5.3 million adult New Yorkers may have prediabetes.
In 2021, approximately 1.6 million adults said that their health care team told them they had prediabetes. Most New Yorkers with prediabetes do not know they have it. Without intervention, many people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years and are also at an increased risk of developing complications such as heart disease and stroke.
Prediabetes disproportionally impacts communities that have historically faced barriers to optimal health. The Department is committed to advancing health equity for populations at risk for diabetes by increasing access to evidence-based prevention programming where it's needed most.
The Department, along with community-based organizations, community pharmacies, and local and federal health organizations, promotes diabetes prevention through the National Diabetes Prevention Program. These programs support participants in making sustainable lifestyle changes, including making healthier food choices and being more physically active.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a covered benefit for New Yorkers with Medicaid and is also a covered benefit for Medicare members.
For the estimated 1.8 million New York State adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes, the Department promotes American Diabetes Association (ADA)-recognized and Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES)-accredited Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs across the state. DSMES can benefit anyone living with diabetes, whether newly diagnosed or living with diabetes for many years.
To find a nearby DSMES program, view the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists and American Diabetes Association program locators. To learn more about DSMES go to CDC's DSMES Toolkit.
For updated statistics on diabetes and prediabetes in New York State, please access the following reports:
