Diabetes in Wisconsin Increased 27% Since 2005, Report Says

The incidence of diabetes among Wisconsin adults increased by 27% since 2005, bringing the percentage of the state's adults with the disease to nearly 10%, compared with 8% three years ago, according to a report from the state's Department of Health and Family Services, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. According to the report, 419,870 adults in the state have diabetes. In addition, the report found that about one million adults have prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to be considered diabetes but can still harm the heart and blood vessels.

The report found that:

• Diabetes-related hospitalizations from 2005 to 2007 increased by about 11% to 94,331;
  
  
• Hospital charges increased by 48%, from $1.35 billion to $2 billion; and
  
  
• Diabetes-related costs for the state increased 16% to $5.2 billion from $4.5 billion.