Prevalence of Diabetes
Among Delaware Adults: 2009

In 2009, slightly more than 8% of Delaware residents age 18 and older reported that they had been diagnosed with diabetes.  That means that more than 54,000 Delaware adults know they have diabetes, according to the Delaware Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS).  This prevalence rate does not include gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that occurs in about 1% of women during pregnancy.  Although the BRFS question does not distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse estimates that between 90 and 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2.

Trend in Adult Diabetes Prevalence in Delaware:

Diabetes is more prevalent among African American adults (12.1%) than among non-Hispanic white adults (7.2%). It also becomes more prevalent with age. Less than 2% of adults in their 20s have diabetes, but the prevalence rises to 8.6% among 45-54 year olds, 14.2% among 55-64 year-olds, and 16.4% among those 65 and older.  More men (10.2%) than women (6.2%) know they have diabetes. [Data from Delaware Behavioral Risk Factor Survey , 2009.]

In 2009, the BRFS asked questions for the first time about "pre-diabetes," or borderline diabetes.  Among adults who do not have diagnosed diabetes, 6.4% – or about 36,000 Delawareans – reported they had been told they have pre-diabetes.  People with pre-diabetes are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, but can significantly reduce that risk by increasing physical activity and eating a healthier diet.

The 2009 Delaware BRFS also provides information about compliance with diabetes recommendations for people with diabetes.

• 60.8% say they check their blood glucose (sugar) levels more than once a day. [The recommended frequency is at least three times a day for most diabetics.]
• 38.8% see their doctor four or more times a year for their diabetes.
• 85% say they have been checked by a doctor for Hemoglobin A1-C one or more times in the past year.
• About 77% of people with diabetes had an eye exam in which their pupils were dilated during the past year.
• 22% of people with diabetes said they've been told a doctor that diabetes has affected their eyes, or they have retinopathy.
• About 76.5% said a health professional has checked their feet for sores or irritations one or more times in the past year.
• 49% say they have taken a course or class in how to manage diabetes.

Source: Delaware Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS), 2009.

Return to the main Diabetes Program page.