Diabetes Prevention and Control Program

• There are approximately 52,000 diagnosed and 26,000 undiagnosed cases6.4% of the total RI population of 1,048,319 [U.S. Census Bureau, 2000] (18 + years old) has diabetes*58% of those who have diabetes reside in Providence County
• The prevalence of diabetes increased by 52% from 1996 through 2001. During the same years, increases in prevalence were most notable among people who are Hispanic/Latino (177% increase) and people who were 45-64 years of age (113% increase). A large increase in prevalence (110% increase) was also noted among people who were 18-44 years of age.
• 89% of those reporting having diabetes in 2001 were not of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity.
• The prevalence of diabetes is highest (15.8%) among people 65 years of age and over. Two percent (2.1%) of those 18-44 years of age, and 8.1% of those 45-64 years of age report having been diagnosed with diabetes; 48% of the total estimated number of people with diabetes are in the 65 + age group.

• People with diabetes suffer with many diabetes-related complications or conditions including the following: 

• Blindness
• Lower extremity amputations (LEAs)
• End-stage renal disease
• Cardiovascular disease

• In 1997, there were 70 new cases of blindness and 398 LEAs among people with diabetes. In 1999 there were 99 new cases of end-stage renal disease among people with diabetes.
• In 2001, there were 17,571 diabetes-related hospitalizations. In addition, diabetes contributed to the death of 759 residents of Rhode Island in 2001.

• The direct cost (medical care) and indirect cost (lost productivity and premature mortality) of diabetes in Rhode Island totaled approximately $508.8 million in 1997.