loader image
Sunday, October 19, 2025
85.1 F
McAllen
- Advertisement -

New Research Uncovers Concerning Increases in Youth Living with Diabetes in the U.S.

Translate to Spanish or other 102 languages!

Type 1 diabetes remains the most common type of diabetes in U.S. youth. Image for illustration purposes

Mega Doctor News

- Advertisement -

CDC – Diagnosed cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are surging among youth in the United States. From 2001 to 2017, the number of people under age 20 living with type 1 diabetes increased by 45%, and the number living with type 2 diabetes grew by 95%.

Type 1 diabetes remains the most common type of diabetes in U.S. youth according to a report published today in JAMA, “Trends in Prevalence of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in the United States, 2001-2017external icon.”

“Increases in diabetes are always troubling – especially in youth. Rising rates of diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, which is preventable, has the potential to create a cascade of poor health outcomes,” said, Giuseppina Imperatore, MD, PhD, chief of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, Economics, and Statistics Branch in CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “Compared to people who develop diabetes in adulthood, youth are more likely to develop diabetes complications at an earlier age and are at higher risk of premature death.”

- Advertisement -

Additional key findings from the report:

  • The estimated number of youth aged 0-19 years with type 1 diabetes increased from 148 per 100,000 in 2001 to 215 per 100,000 in 2017.
  • From 2001-2017, significant increases in the number of youth living with type 1 diabetes were observed in among ages 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 years, in both sexes and for each racial and ethnic group.
  • Type 1 diabetes remains more common among white youth than among youth from racial or ethnic minority groups.
  • The estimated number of youth aged 10-19 living with type 2 diabetes increased from 34 per 100,000 in 2001 to 67 per 100,000 in 2017.
  • From 2001-2017, significant increases in the number of youth living with type 2 diabetes were observed in youth aged 10-14 and 15-19 years old, in both sexes and for each racial and ethnic group.
  • Type 2 diabetes remains more common among youth in racial or ethnic minority groups than among white youth.
  • The greatest increases in type 2 diabetes prevalence were seen in youth who are Black or Hispanic, and the highest number of youth per 1,000 living with type 2 diabetes were seen in youth who are Black or American Indian.

The impact on youth from diverse racial and ethnic groups may also be linked to social determinants of health such as where children live and play. “More research is needed to better understand the underlying causes of the increases we’re seeing in type 1 and type 2 diabetes in U.S. youth,” said Jean M. Lawrence, ScD, MPH, MSSA, the lead author on this paper and director of the Diabetes Epidemiology Program, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the NIH. “Increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes could be caused by rising rates of childhood obesity, in utero exposure to maternal obesity and diabetes, or increased diabetes screenings. The impact of diabetes on youth is concerning as it has the potential to negatively impact these youth as they age and could be an early indicator of the health of future generations.”

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -

More Articles

The Human Bean’s “Coffee for a Cure” to Benefit The Renaissance Cancer Foundation, Oct. 17th

The Human Bean located at 1124 E. Nolana in McAllen is inviting coffee-lovers to "drink pink" on October 17 for their annual “Coffee for a Cure” breast cancer giveback event. All food and beverage proceeds on that day will benefit the Renaissance Cancer Foundation, marking The Human Bean’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“I Was Diagnosed with Lung Cancer and Cured in Just 14 Days,” said Juan Camacho

In a landmark moment for healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley, DHR Health has achieved dual national recognition as both a Center of Excellence in Lung Cancer Screening and a Center of Excellence in Lung Cancer Care by GO2 for Lung Cancer, a leading organization dedicated to improving outcomes and survival rates for patients facing lung cancer.

2025 DHR Health Fashion Show & Gala Honoring Heroic Patients

The Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance was filled with emotion, gratitude, and hope on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, as DHR Health hosted its 2025 Fashion Show & Gala Honoring Heroic Patients. The annual event celebrated breast cancer survivors and highlighted the importance of breast reconstruction awareness, education, and innovation in women’s health care.

STHS Children’s Partners with Spirit Halloween for Pre-Halloween Party for Patients

Due to fears related to any pain they may be experiencing, the unknown environment with strange sounds and unfamiliar faces and separation from family and friends, a hospital stay can result in stress and anxiety in children.
- Advertisement -
×