March 24, 2021, is American Diabetes Association Alert Day, is a one-day wake-up call to all Americans about the seriousness of diabetes when left undiagnosed or untreated. The CDC reports that as of 2020, 34.2 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes in America. In 2019, diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in America. According to the American Diabetes Association, only about 5% of people have Type 1 diabetes and it is usually diagnosed in children and small adults. Type 1 diabetes is when the body does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and it is usually diagnosed in ages 18 and older. Type 2 diabetes is when your body does not use insulin properly. The factors that increase your risk include older age, excess weight, particularly around the waist, family history, poor diet, certain ethnicities (minorities), and physical inactivity.
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