National Health Council — Voluntary Health Agency Guide

American Diabetes Association

Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) is an internationally recognized organization with a membership of over 460,000 people with diabetes and their loved ones, more than 19,000 health care professionals, and hundreds of thousands of diabetes advocates, donors and volunteers. Nearly 21 million Americans have diabetes and another 41 million have pre-diabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Association is leading the fight against diabetes by funding research, publishing the latest scientific findings, conducting public policy advocacy programs and providing education and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health care professionals and the public.

About the condition(s):

Type 1 diabetes, which usually develops during childhood, accounts for about five to 10 percent of all cases of diabetes. In type 1, the body does not produce any insulin. People who have this type of diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases of diabetes. In the past, this type of diabetes was seen mainly in adults and was frequently associated with increased age. However, over the past several decades, as obesity among children has soared, so, too, has the incidence of type 2 diabetes among children. In type 2, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or the cells aren’t able to properly use it.

Some populations, such as Latinos, Asian Americans, African Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans, are at much higher risk than others. People who have a family history of diabetes, or who are well above their ideal weight are also at higher risk, and that risk increases with age. People who are at high risk for diabetes should be tested every two years.