Diabetes Statistics
Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem in South Carolina. Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in South Carolina. South Carolina still ranks among the top ten states in the nation for diabetes prevalence. According to the South Carolina Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (SC BRFSS, SC DHEC) the prevalence of diabetes among adults in South Carolinians was 9.3% in 2002. An estimated 385,685 people in South Carolina are aware that they have diabetes. There are at least as many others in whom diabetes is undetected. Thus, approximately 650,000 people in South Carolina have diabetes. More than 1,000 South Carolinians die from diabetes each year. Another 2,000 die from other diseases associated with diabetes (Vital Statistics, SC DHEC). In addition to death from acute complications, diabetes increases the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and end-state renal disease.
Although increased death rates are seen for all ages and races, minority populations and older populations experience the highest rates. However, African Americans of either gender are twice as likely to have diabetes as their white counterparts. African-American females are most at risk for developing the disease. About 11 percent of African-American males said that they had diabetes, while only 6 percent of white males and 5 percent of white females reported having the disease. (SC BFRSS, SC DHEC).
Did You Know?
- South Carolina has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the country.
- 1,114 people died of diabetes in the state during 2002.
- Two-thirds of people with diabetes die of heart disease and stroke.
- African American women have the highest risk for diabetes.
Click here for additional diabetes data and statistics.
For additional information contact:
Dr. Patsy Myers 803.545.4933