Diabetes Mellitus

Approximately 24 million people in the U.S., about 8 percent of the population, were estimated to have diabetes in 2007.1 For the same year, diabetes cost the country an estimated $174 billion in medical expenses as well as associated costs, such as loss of workplace productivity, early disability, and morbidity.2 Th e numbers reflect a striking truth: diabetes places a huge personal and economic burden on this country. However, even as rates of diabetes are rising, people with diabetes are living longer and healthier lives, as a result of the collective effort of the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee (DMICC) and others. Advances in medicine, public health, and health care have led to significant progress. New research discoveries and translation efforts will yield further improvements in the prevention, diagnosis, control, and treatment of diabetes. Building on the accomplishments and successes of federal programs in improving public health with regard to diabetes, the government agencies responsible for leading the federal investment in diabetes are working together to improve the health of Americans.