Diabetes has become a nationwide epidemic. The number of U.S. adults with diabetes has more than tripled in the last 20 years. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, and other minority groups have a particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.
However, in spite of this trend, the number of heart attacks, strokes and other complications attributed to the disease have plummeted.
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the rates of heart attacks and strokes among diabetics have dropped 60% over the last 20 years. The report also confirmed that kidney failure and amputations have drastically declined.
“It is great news,” said Dr. John Buse, a University of North Carolina diabetes specialist, of the drop in rates.
“The prognosis for folks with diabetes has improved dramatically over the last two decades, at least for those with good access to care,” Buse said in an email.
The drop is mainly attributed to better screening, medicine and care.
In the 1990s, key research proved that it was possible for diabetics to keep their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
These studies showed that amputation, heart problems and issues with vision were not necessarily inevitable.
Insurance companies have also since expanded coverage of blood sugar monitors and diabetes treatment.