KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Forty-four thousand adults residing in King County have diabetes, and the diabetes death rate locally has increased by 50% since 1987, according to a new report issued today by Public Health - Seattle & King County. The report, Diabetes in King County, documents that diabetes is more common here among minorities, the elderly, and those with low-income.
The full text of Diabetes in King County is available online and a summary of key findings is listed below.
"Early identification and appropriate medical care can significantly reduce the effects of diabetes," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that self-management and tight control of blood sugars improve health and extend life for those with diabetes".
"Unfortunately, one-third of those with diabetes remain undiagnosed," he continued. "Many of these people may already be developing complications from diabetes, including damage to their kidneys and eyes."
This afternoon, Dr. Plough also announced that a local coalition including Public Health had been selected by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to receive a REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) grant. The award of $305,461 will be dedicated to developing community-based strategies that improve early diagnosis and on-going management of diabetes among racial and ethnic minority populations. The goal of this project is to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes-related health in King County.
King County's REACH coalition includes Public Health - Seattle & King County, African American Health Coalition, Center for MultiCultural Health, International Community Health Services, SEAMAR Community Health Care Centers, the American Diabetes Association, Community Diabetes Initiative, Community Health Council, University of Washington, Seattle Partners for Healthy Communities, Harborview Medical Center, Washington State Department of Health, and numerous other agencies and individuals interested in diabetes and the health of people of color.
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which insulin deficiency or resistance to insulin action leads to a high level of sugar in the blood. Without proper treatment, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, blindness, and lower extremity amputation. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all cases, and is often without obvious symptoms in its early stages. Major causes of type 2 diabetes include obesity and physical inactivity.
Public Health medical staff recommend that those at increased risk for diabetes receive routine screening. Those at increased risk include those having a family history of diabetes; being of African American, Native American or Hispanic race/ethnicity; or being obese. The screening involves a simple blood sugar test that can help diagnose and, subsequently, begin management of diabetes at the earliest opportunity. This test is available through any health care provider.
Key Findings from the Diabetes in King County report:
- In King County, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death and a major cause of chronic illness and disability. Since 1987, the death rate for diabetes has increased by 50%.
- 3.5% of the King County adult population (44,000 persons) has diabetes. Among those age 65 years and older, 7.3% have diabetes.
- Low-income persons (household income less than $20,000) are twice as likely to have diabetes than persons of higher incomes.
- Diabetes is more common among African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. In King County, African Americans are especially affected, with 6.8% having been diagnosed for diabetes, compare to 2.8% of whites. The diabetes death rate among African Americans is four times the rate for whites and has increased 84% over the past 10 years.
- The death rates in Central Seattle, Southeast Seattle, and White Center/Skyway exceed the County average.
- Overweight and lack of physical activity increase the risk of developing diabetes; however, 48% of the King County adults are overweight and 50% do not engage in regular physical activity. The proportion of the population with obesity (very overweight) has more than doubled in the past 10 years.
