Even though diabetes is a major health problem in the country, Americans earned a failing grade on diabetes awareness in a survey released Nov. 2.

When asked a series of questions about a disease so common that every 20 seconds someone is diagnosed with it, Americans earned a 51 percent and the survey revealed that many diabetes myths and misconceptions still exist even as the disease’s prevalence continues to rise.

Nationally, nearly 24 million people have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Another 57 million have pre-diabetes and are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. One out of every three children will face a future with diabetes if current trends continue.

To help fight the pervasive ignorance, the American Diabetes Association launched a Stop Diabetes campaign on Oct. 29, just before November, which is observed nationally as American Diabetes Month.

Sue McLaughlin, the association’s Health Care & Education president, said the very limited understanding of the basic facts about diabetes and the disease’s serious health consequences hampers efforts to battle the chronic illness.

“Denial of diabetes and the promotion of inaccurate information, full of stereotypes and stigma, do not serve anyone well,” she said. “The association’s Stop Diabetes campaign aims to put a halt to this lack of awareness and misinformation so we can change the direction of diabetes prevalence in this country.”

The association says diabetes has reached epidemic proportions across the country. Since 1987, the death rate due to diabetes has increased by 45 percent while the death rates due to cancer, heart disease and stroke have declined.

About 60 percent to 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve damage that could result in pain in the feet or hands, slowed digestion, sexual dysfunction, and other nerve problems. The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than for people without diabetes. Two out of three diabetics die from heart disease or stroke.

Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults. It is the leading cause of kidney failure.

The association says the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $174 billion. Direct medical costs reach $116 billion, and the average medical expenditure among people with diabetes is 2.3 times higher than those without the disease. The cost of caring for someone with diabetes accounts for $1 out of every $5 in total health care costs.

Indirect costs for disability, work loss or premature death is estimated at $58 billion.

Put on the brakes

The Stop Diabetes Movement aims to halt this deadly disease from stealing moments, hours and days from millions of children and adults; to stop the anxiety, fear and heartache it causes every day; to stop the blindness and amputations; to stop discrimination against people with diabetes; and to stop it from haunting our children’s future and stealing our loved ones all too soon.

It encourages all people affected with diabetes to join together to share their stories, raise awareness of diabetes and its consequences, and support fund-raising efforts in support of diabetes education and research.

For more information, visit StopDiabetes.com or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).

Myths about diabetes abound

The Harris Interactive Diabetes survey, released Nov. 2, polled 2,081 Americans about their diabetes knowledge. Among the many myths it found:

Myth: Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.

Asked to rank which disease – diabetes, breast cancer, AIDS – was responsible for the greatest number of U.S. deaths each year, less than half – 42 percent – of respondents chose diabetes.

Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Myth: Eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes.

Only a third of the survey’s respondents, 32 percent, knew this myth was false.

Fact: Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease. Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight increases your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, following a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.

Myth: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop Type 2 diabetes.

Nearly three in five, or 59 percent, did not know that this is a false statement. In addition, more than half, 53 percent, of them did not know that risk for developing Type 2 diabetes increases with age.

Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing this disease, but other risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Many overweight people never develop Type 2 diabetes, and many people with Type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.

Join the effort to stop diabetes

The Stop Diabetes Movement wants everyone to get involved. Here is what you can do:

Share: Inspire others to join the movement by sharing their personal story.

Act: The American Diabetes Association provides many ways to get involved with the fight to stop diabetes, including volunteer opportunities, walks and bikes around the country.

Learn: The American Diabetes Association has many resources throughout the country to help stop diabetes for people who already have diabetes or are at risk for Type 2, including lifestyle and motivational information for patients and loved ones.

Give: The drive to stop diabetes cannot succeed without individuals dedicating time, effort and funds to support the American Diabetes Association’s mission-critical activities in cities and towns across the country.