Data Dive: Diabetes Prevalence

This month’s Data Dive will look at Diabetes Prevalence. We’ll explore the following questions:

Let’s dive in!

What data is described here?

In this Data Dive, we’re focusing on Diabetes Prevalence. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) provides the data for this layer and indicator. The NCHS creates their diabetes prevalence estimates by compiling three years of self-reported Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data.  

What does this data tell me about diabetes?

Diabetes Prevalence estimates the percentage (Figure 1) and total number of adults aged 20+ with diabetes by county. Estimates are available for all states except Florida. This information, along with a benchmark dial indicating how diabetes prevalence in your report area compares to state and national average, can be found in the Community Needs Assessment (Figure 2). 

How can I interpret this data?

When looking at both the percentage and total of the population with a diabetes diagnosis (i.e., diabetes prevalence), higher numbers indicate more diabetes diagnoses in the county. This is important to monitor as diabetes is associated with early death, higher medical costs, and increased risk of health complications.¹  

Where can I access this data? 

Diabetes Prevalence is accessible in both the SparkMap Map Room and Community Needs Assessment. In the Community Needs Assessment, breakout data is also available showing prevalence by gender and year of diagnosis (Figure 3). Further, the Community Needs Assessment provides benchmark data to highlight how your ZIP code, county, or custom area compares to average diabetes diagnoses of the state and country.

Where can I find more information about this data?

• Diabetes Data and Statistics
• Diabetes Surveillance Data FAQs
• United States Diabetes Surveillance System

Reference

1. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/socialmedia/infographics/diabetes.htmll