Diabetes-Related Deaths Decline in the U.S. Amid Ongoing Pandemic Challenges
According to new preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes-related deaths in the United States have decreased significantly, marking a turnaround from the significant mortality increases observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Findings from 2024 Data
The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reports that diabetes deaths reached 26.4 per 100,000 people in the third quarter of 2024, showing a remarkable decline from the record high of 31.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2021. The spike in 2021 made diabetes the eighth leading cause of death that year, a trend largely attributed to the interplay between COVID-19 and diabetes.
Impact of COVID-19 on Diabetes Management
Christopher Holliday, head of the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation, stated, “Data show an increase in mortality rates for all people during the COVID-19 pandemic,” highlighting that underlying health conditions like diabetes heightened the risk of severe illness and death during this period. He noted that the pandemic disrupted regular diabetes management, affecting physical activity and routine healthcare visits.
Mortality Trends and Challenges
While diabetes-related deaths have decreased since their peak, Holliday emphasized that they have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, approximately 103,294 diabetes deaths were recorded, showing a rise of over 17% compared to 87,647 deaths in 2019. Early estimates for 2024 indicate about 94,294 diabetes-related deaths.
Diabetes Prevalence and Treatment Advances
Prior to the pandemic, diabetes mortality had been declining for years, despite the increasing prevalence of the disease. This changing trend occurs alongside the introduction of newer diabetes medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which have gained substantial popularity.
As of 2023, nearly one in ten adults in the U.S. was diagnosed with diabetes, according to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey.
Complexities in Mortality Analysis
Experts note the complexity of analyzing long-term trends in diabetes-related deaths due to several factors. These include evolving definitions of the disease and variations in death certificate documentation regarding diabetes. Elizabeth Selvin, director of the Johns Hopkins Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, pointed out that diabetes often serves as a contributing factor rather than the primary cause of death.
Selvin explained, “Most deaths among people with diabetes are cardiovascular and would be counted among the cardiovascular,” underscoring the challenge in tracking diabetes deaths accurately. She reiterated that physicians often have discretion in reporting the cause of death, adding to the data complexity.
Conclusion
Despite the recent decline in diabetes-related deaths, ongoing public health efforts remain essential to address the disease effectively, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continued research and better management strategies will be critical in improving outcomes for those living with diabetes.