The facts below give a snapshot of the impact of diabetes on our communities. The challenge is convincing everyone that glucose control is critical, achievable and worth the effort. The Diabetes Team at Mercy believes this challenge represents our primary responsibility.

Diabetes is Serious

• Over 17,000 new cases are diagnosed every year in Maryland
• Cardiovascular disease is 2-4 times more common in diabetes and is the cause of 75% of diabetes related deaths
• Over 60% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure and stroke is 2.5 times more frequent
• Diabetes is the leading cause of renal failure, new blindness and lower extremity amputations

Diabetes is Common

• Over 17 million Americans have diabetes and there are an estimated 5.7 million Americans undiagnosed
• Over 423,00 Marylanders have diabetes and there are an estimated 212,000 undiagnosed.
• Over 51,000 Baltimoreans have diabetes with an estimated 26,000 undiagnosed
• Additionally over 1.3 million Marylanders are at risk of developing diabetes because of age, obesity and sedentary lifestyle

Diabetes is Costly

• Direct and indict cost of diabetes in America is $132 billion.
• 5.6 billion is spent each year on diabetes in Maryland
• 1 in every 7 health care dollars is spent on diabetes and diabetes related complications
• The majority of these costs are due to diabetes complications
• 27% of all Medicare spending is on diabetes and related complications

Diabetes is Silent

• Diabetes is a silent disease that can be present and do damage for many years before diagnosis
• People who have diabetes are silent - they do not wear colored ribbons or march in Washington
• The seriousness of diabetes is unrecognized by the public as well as by many health care providers.
• Until complications occur, people with diabetes are unnoticeable and frequently unaware.

Diabetes is Deadly

• Maryland ranks #4 of all 50 states in adjusted death rates from diabetes
• Diabetes kills over 3,660 Marylanders each year according to death certificates.
  
  
  • Why is diabetes referred to as the Rodney Dangerfield of diseases? Because although cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack are acknowledged as a leading cause of death, many people don't know know that diabetes is frequently an underlying condition leading to these traumas.

Children with Type 2 Diabetes

Today, Type 2 diabetes is being found in children as young as 10 years of age due to the growing problems of obesity and sedentary lifestyle. 'MERCY FIT KIDS' is a new program for children to try to decrease weight and increase physical activity. The pilot program is funded by a
grant from the Sisters of Mercy."