Diabetes is a prominent chronic disease in the United States that can lead to life threatening health outcomes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Diabetes Statistics Report, approximately 12% of the U.S. population, which is 40.1 million people have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.
The statistics show that the disease impacts
Black and Brown communities the most:
- 15.7% American Indian or Alaska Native
- 12.2% Black, non-Hispanic
- 11.8% Hispanic, overall
- 9.7% Asian, non-Hispanic
- 7.1% White, non-Hispanic
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type-2 diabetes is a long-term health condition. It happens when your body cannot use insulin the right way.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose (sugar) from your blood stream into the cells of your body. Your body uses this sugar for energy.
What is actually happening in the body?
When you eat food, the carbohydrates in that food break down during digestion. They turn into glucose, also called sugar.
Your pancreas senses this change and releases insulin.
With type 2 diabetes, a problem called insulin resistance can occur. This means that the cells in your body do not respond well to insulin.
Because of this, sugar cannot easily enter the cells. The pancreas then makes more insulin to try to fix the problem.
Over time, this extra work can wear out the pancreas. When this happens, the body cannot make enough insulin to control blood sugar.
What’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is different. In this condition, the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Because of this, people with type 1 diabetes cannot make enough insulin and need medication to control their blood sugar.
Type 1 diabetes is more common among children, but children and adolescents can still be diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. According to the CDC National diabetes Statistics Report, 364,000 people under 20 years old were diagnosed with diabetes in 2023. 314,000 were type 1 diabetes diagnoses, and 50,000 were type-2 diabetes diagnoses.
Am I at risk for type 2 diabetes?
Certain behaviors, health conditions, and family traits can raise your risk of developing type-2 diabetes. These are called risk factors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common risk factors include:
- Having a parent or sibling have type-2 diabetes
- Having unhealthy weight or obesity
- Being physically active less than three times per week
- Being age 45 or older
- Having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy
The American Diabetes Association offers a Type-2 Diabetes risk test. This quick test can help you learn your personal risk.
Should I get tested for Type-2 Diabetes?
You should talk to your healthcare provider about testing if you:
- Have at least one risk factor
- Are 45 years of age or older
- Notice possible symptoms of high blood sugar
Common symptoms include:
- Feeling more thirsty than usual
- Needing to urinate (pee) more often
- Feeling hungry even after eating
- Feeling very tired
- Dry mouth or gum problems
- Cuts or wounds that heal slowly
- Blurred vision or seeing spots (floaters)
These symptoms can be mild and easy to miss. Even if you think something else may be causing them, it is a good idea to mention them to your healthcare provider.
What does testing look like?
Healthcare providers use several tests to check for type-2 diabetes.
- Fasting Blood Glucose Test:
This test measures your blood after fasting. You usually need to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for at least 8 hours before the test.
- Random Plasma Glucose Test:
This test measures blood at any time of the day. Fasting is not required
- HbA1c Test:
This test shows your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. It works by measuring how much sugar is attached to hemoglobin in your red blood cells. Fasting is not required.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test:
This test checks how well your body processes sugar. First, a blood sample is taken after fasting for 8-12 hours. Then you drink a sugary liquid provided by the healthcare provider. Your blood sugar is tested again at set times to see how your body responds.
Why is getting tested important?
Type-2 diabetes can lead to serious problems if they are not managed well. Leaning about your blood sugar levels early can help you takes some steps to control them
According to the American Diabetes Association, possible complications of type-2 diabetes include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Foot problems
- Skin problems
- Oral health problems
- Hearing loss
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
What are my next steps?
If you have any risk factors or symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested for type-2 diabetes.
Healthy lifestyle changes can help control blood sugar. These changes may also help prevent type-2 diabetes if you have not been diagnosed.
Simple steps like eating balanced meals, staying active, and seeing your healthcare provider regularly can make a big difference in your health.
Resources
- American Diabetes Association. Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test. American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org/diabetes-risk-test. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Diabetes Risk Factors.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 15 May 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/index.html. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
- American Diabetes Association. “Diabetes Complications.” American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/complications. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System: Diabetes Atlas & Statistics Report. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/diabetes/diabetesatlas-statsreport.html