Editor's note: Diabetes is a big concern for employers trying to manage health care costs. Although this article mentions life insurance, we thought benefits managers and even brokers might be curious to see this list.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12.6% of U.S. adults age 20 and older have diabetes, and about one-quarter of the members of that group are unaware they have the condition.
The numbers are much worse for older Americans. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates that almost 26% of those age 65 and older are diabetic.
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These findings are part of the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Prevalence Data, for the period from 2011 to the present.
The survey database shows a wide disparity in diabetes prevalence rates across the country. Puerto Rico has the dubious distinction of leading the list, with 16.5% of respondents having diabetes, while Colorado can claim the lowest rate, with a prevalence rate of just 6.8%.
Higher diabetes rates translate into higher health problem rates. Diabetes diagnoses are linked to hypoglycemia, high blood pressure and increased risk for heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease.
Diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in America. It was responsible for over 76,000 deaths in 2014. The situation isn't improving: The ADA reports 1.4 million new cases are diagnosed each year.
Higher diabetes rates also translate into higher rates of insurability problems.
Individuals with Type 1 and 2 diabetes are already facing an uphill battle in terms of receiving favorable offers from underwriters, Matthew Schmidt, a diabetes life insurance advisor with Diabetes Life Solutions in Pittsburgh, says via email.
However, he adds, there are some steps all people with diabetes can take to can improve their offers of coverage, including:
Stop smoking. Being tobacco-free for at least a year lets people with diabetes qualify for non-tobacco user ratings.
Use diabetes technology. Certain insurance companies may offer a healthy lifestyle credit if applicants use technologies like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems.
Diet and exercise. Applicants with good overall health as a result of healthy diet and regular exercise receive more favorable coverage offers.
Work on controlling your diabetes. If applicants aren't seeing doctors at least annually, insurers might view that as neglecting diabetes management. This could lead to a more expensive coverage offer or postponement of an offer.
For a look at the five states with the highest reported diabetes rates, and a chart showing the rates for all jurisdictions, read on.
The States With the Highest Reported Diabetes Rates
1. Mississippi: 14.7%
2. West Virginia: 14.5%
3. Alabama: 13.5%
4. Kentucky: 13.4%
6. Tennessee: 12.7%
Reported Diabetes Rates for All 50 States, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories (in percent)
Reported Diabetes Rates for All 50 States, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories (in percent)
| Alabama | 13.5 |
| Alaska | 7.6 |
| All States and DC (median) | 9.9 |
| Arizona | 10.1 |
| Arkansas | 12.6 |
| California | 10 |
| Colorado | 6.8 |
| Connecticut | 9.3 |
| Delaware | 11.5 |
| District of Columbia | 8.5 |
| Florida | 11.3 |
| Georgia | 11.3 |
| Guam | 12 |
| Hawaii | 8.5 |
| Idaho | 8.1 |
| Illinois | 9.9 |
| Indiana | 11.4 |
| Iowa | 8.8 |
| Kansas | 9.7 |
| Kentucky | 13.4 |
| Louisiana | 12.7 |
| Maine | 9.9 |
| Maryland | 10.3 |
| Massachusetts | 8.9 |
| Michigan | 10.7 |
| Minnesota | 7.6 |
| Mississippi | 14.7 |
| Missouri | 11.5 |
| Montana | 7.9 |
| Nebraska | 8.8 |
| Nevada | 9.7 |
| New Hampshire | 8.1 |
| New Jersey | 9 |
| New Mexico | 11.5 |
| New York | 9.8 |
| North Carolina | 10.7 |
| North Dakota | 8.7 |
| Ohio | 11 |
| Oklahoma | 11.7 |
| Oregon | 10.7 |
| Pennsylvania | 10.4 |
| Puerto Rico | 16.5 |
| Rhode Island | 9 |
| South Carolina | 11.8 |
| South Dakota | 9.3 |
| Tennessee | 12.7 |
| Texas | 11.4 |
| Utah | 7 |
| Vermont | 8.2 |
| Virginia | 10.4 |
| Washington | 8.4 |
| West Virginia | 14.5 |
| Wisconsin | 8.4 |
| Wyoming | 8.4 |
| Source: CDC/BRFSS | |
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emcarthy
Ed transitioned from wealth management to freelance writing and has written for many of the financial service industry’s leading publications. These include Bloomberg Wealth Manager, CFA Magazine, Institutional Investor online, Financial Planning, Journal of Accountancy and the Journal of Financial Planning. He has published three books, including his most recent textbook, "Foundations of Computational Finance with MATLAB.” Ed has written numerous print and web articles for custom publishers and many of the largest U.S. and international financial services firms; he holds the Certified Financial Planner and Retirement Income Certified Professional designations. His most recent articles are listed at muckrack.com/ed-mccarthy.
