Breaking the diabetes cycle: The power of early detection and preventive care
9 Minutes
Team Curative
Feb 6, 2025
In the U.S. alone, over 37 million people live with diabetes, and millions more are at risk for type 2 diabetes. This is a critical moment for action. This is a moment to remember the importance of awareness and the incredible power of preventive care.
By catching the warning signs early, people can manage their condition and take steps toward a healthier future. Preventive care, such as regular checkups, controlling blood sugar levels, or making lifestyle changes, plays a vital role in the fight against diabetes.
Six stats about diabetes that might surprise you
Let’s look at the numbers. Type 2 diabetes is often thought of as a condition that primarily affects older adults or those with certain lifestyle habits, but the reality is far more complex. The following statistics reveal just how widespread and impactful diabetes really is — and why preventive care is more critical than ever. The data highlights the importance of early detection, lifestyle management, and ongoing care to help curb the growing diabetes epidemic.
Approximately 96 million adults in the U.S. have prediabetes, which is more than 1 in 3 adults.
Around 80% of prediabetics don’t even know they are at risk.
Diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2021, contributing to over 280,000 deaths (for those who had diabetes listed as a contributing factor on their death certificate.)
The total medical costs and lost wages associated with diabetes are a staggering $327 billion per year in the U.S.
People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke as those without the condition.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. When you eat, your body breaks down the food into sugar (glucose) and releases it into your bloodstream. Usually, your pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps glucose enter cells to be used for energy. However, with diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it effectively, causing blood sugar levels to remain high.
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells. Type 1 diabetes is genetic, meaning preventive measures to avoid getting it aren’t as significant.
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, where the body becomes resistant to insulin.
Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after childbirth but increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
Who does type 2 diabetes usually affect, and why?
Diabetes can affect anyone, but certain groups of people are at a higher risk due to genetic, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors:
People with a Family History of Diabetes: Genetics plays a significant role in developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If you have a close relative with diabetes, your risk increases significantly.
Ethnic and Racial Minorities: Studies have shown that African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans are at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Older Adults: As we age, our risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increases. Adults over 45 are particularly at risk due to age-related changes in insulin sensitivity and physical activity levels.
People with Obesity: Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, can cause insulin resistance, a major driver of Type 2 diabetes.
People with Poor Access to Healthcare: Socio-economic factors also play a critical role in diabetes risk. People with limited access to healthcare are less likely to receive preventive screenings or treatment for prediabetes, increasing the likelihood of developing diabetes.
Additional risk factors beyond the groups outlined above include poor diet, lack of physical activity, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. If left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to serious complications like:
Heart disease
Stroke
Kidney disease
Nerve damage
Vision problems
Preventive care minimizes these risks by promoting regular health checks and early intervention.
Preventive care strategies for type 2 diabetes
Although type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress are proven strategies to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Regular screenings are also essential. Through blood tests, healthcare providers can identify prediabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. With early detection, lifestyle changes and preventive measures can often halt the progression of type 2 diabetes.
How is diabetes managed?
For those already living with diabetes, management is crucial to maintaining a good quality of life. Diabetes management typically includes:
Blood Sugar Monitoring: Regular blood sugar checks help keep glucose levels under control.
Medications: Some people may need insulin or other medications to help regulate their blood sugar.
Diet Planning: A healthy, balanced diet helps manage glucose levels.
Exercise: Regular physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps with blood sugar control.
Routine Checkups: Frequent visits with healthcare providers help monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and potential complications.
A new kind of employer-sponsored health insurance
Curative is a health plan employees love for its affordability, engagement, and simplicity. With $0 copays and deductibles, members can get the care they need when they need it without the financial burden. Imagine — a health plan that actually delivers better health without hurting your wallet.
With Curative, members receive coverage that encourages proactive health management rather than reactive treatments. This forward-thinking approach helps identify and address potential health issues before they become serious, all while keeping costs low.
Members have access to comprehensive care options, a dedicated Care Navigator, and tailored programs designed to fit individual health needs. Curative’s mission is to empower people to take control of their health journey, ensuring they receive the care they need when needed, without traditional healthcare barriers.
Whether managing a chronic condition like diabetes or seeking preventive care to stay healthy, Curative’s focus on affordability and engagement ensures members can easily access the resources and support they need to lead healthier lives.
Curative: Your preventive care partner in diabetes detection and management
At Curative, we believe that preventive care is the foundation of a healthy life, especially for those managing chronic conditions like diabetes. We offer comprehensive services that help you stay on top of your health and manage diabetes effectively. Here’s how we support you:
$0 clinical support: Get connected to a registered dietitian to develop a personalized nutrition plan or work with a primary care physician. Use the Provider Search.
$0 preferred prescriptions: Connect with a provider to discuss no-cost medications to help manage your diabetes. Our Drug Search shows what is covered.
Free blood glucose meter: Stay on top of your health with a free OneTouch blood glucose meter. Show this handout to your pharmacist.
Expert support: Members with uncontrolled A1C and glucose levels receive care coordination and lifestyle adjustment assistance.
Take charge of your health in the new year
As we look to 2025, there’s no better time to focus on the importance of preventive care in managing and preventing diabetes. Whether you're taking steps to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes or managing an existing condition, the proper support makes all the difference.
Curative’s comprehensive, member-focused health insurance model is designed to help you stay ahead of your health needs. With access to preventive care services, personalized programs, and ongoing support, Curative empowers you to live your healthiest life.
Don’t wait — take charge of your health today. Curative can help you prevent, detect, and manage diabetes. Together, we can take proactive steps toward a healthier future.
*Every Curative member can continue to qualify for the $0 deductible or copay for covered services from providers listed on Provider Search and preferred prescriptions by completing a Baseline Visit in the first 120 days of the plan’s effective date.
To see all disclaimers, please view them here.
References
Khan, M, et al. (10 March, 2020). Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes - Global Burden of Disease and Forecasted Trends. J Epidemiol Glob Health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7310804/
American Diabetes Association. (2022). About diabetes. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Diabetes prevention. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-prevention
American Diabetes Association. (1 Nov, 2023). New American Diabetes Association report finds annual costs of diabetes exceed $300 billion. https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/new-american-diabetes-association-report-finds-annual-costs-diabetes-be#:~:text=The%20Economic%20Report%2C%20which%20is,dollars%20spent%20in%20the%20U.S.
Breakthrough T1D. (18 Feb, 2020). More people being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/more-people-being-diagnosed-type-1-diabetes/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). About diabetes risk factors. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/risk-factors/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/risk-factors.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Chronic disease and health promotion data and research. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Prediabetes statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/23_0173.htm#:~:text=Moreover%2C%20approximately%2096%20million%20adults,lower%20than%20levels%20indicating%20diabetes.
Cleveland Clinic. (17 Feb, 2023). Diabetes. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes
Cleveland Clinic. (17 Feb, 2023). Diabetes: Management and treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes#management-and-treatment
Mayo Clinic. (27 Mar, 2024). Diabetes: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444
National Institute on Aging. (10 Apr, 2024). Diabetes in older people. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/diabetes/diabetes-older-people
National Institutes of Health. (May 2023). Adult overweight and obesity. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity
World Health Organization. (5 Apr, 2023). Diabetes fact sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
Regístrate para recibir nuestro boletín
Índice de Contenidos
Six stats about diabetes that might surprise you
What is diabetes?
Who does type 2 diabetes usually affect, and why?
Preventive care strategies for type 2 diabetes
How is diabetes managed?
A new kind of employer-sponsored health insurance
Curative: Your preventive care partner in diabetes detection and management
Take charge of your health in the new year
