How Many People Have Diabetes in the United States? What Omaha Residents Should Know

Understanding the Growing Impact of Diabetes Across America and in Omaha

9/2/20266 min read

How Many People Have Diabetes in the United States? Latest Numbers and What They Mean for Omaha

Diabetes affects millions of people across the United States, making it one of the country's most significant chronic health conditions. If you live in Omaha, Nebraska, you may have family members, friends, or neighbors who manage diabetes every day.

So, how many people have diabetes in the United States of America? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 40.1 million people of all ages had diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2023. That represents approximately 12% of the U.S. population, or about 1 in every 8 people. Of those, approximately 29.1 million had diagnosed diabetes, while an estimated 11 million adults had diabetes but did not know they had it.

For Omaha residents, these numbers provide important context for understanding how widespread diabetes is and why access to appropriate diabetes management, monitoring equipment, and supplies remains important.

How Many Americans Have Diabetes?

The latest CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report estimates that 40.1 million Americans had diabetes in 2023. This figure includes both people who knew they had diabetes and those who met the criteria for diabetes but had not received or reported a diagnosis.

The number is significant because diabetes is not limited to one age group or community. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% to 95% of diagnosed diabetes cases, while type 1 diabetes accounts for a smaller proportion.

The CDC also estimates that 115.2 million U.S. adults had prediabetes in 2023. Prediabetes means blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet within the range used to diagnose diabetes.

Diabetes by the Numbers

Several statistics help put the prevalence of diabetes in perspective. Approximately 40.1 million people in the United States had diabetes in 2023. About 29.1 million had diagnosed diabetes, while approximately 11 million adults had diabetes that had not been diagnosed. Among adults with diabetes, more than one in four were estimated to be undiagnosed.

The CDC also estimates that more than 115 million American adults have prediabetes. Because prediabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes, identifying and addressing it early is an important part of public health and diabetes prevention.

Why Are So Many People Living With Diabetes?

Diabetes develops for different reasons depending on the type. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks insulin-producing cells. Type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance and a combination of genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors.

Age, family history, physical activity, body weight, and previous gestational diabetes can influence the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, diabetes is a complex disease, and it is inaccurate to assume that one factor alone determines whether someone will develop it.

Diabetes prevalence has also increased substantially over time. The CDC reports that the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled over the past 20 years.

Diabetes in Nebraska and the Omaha Area

National statistics are important, but local residents may naturally wonder how diabetes affects Nebraska and the Omaha area specifically.

The CDC's latest surveillance system provides diabetes data at national, state, and county levels, allowing communities to examine local patterns rather than relying exclusively on national averages.

Nebraska's diagnosed diabetes prevalence was approximately 9.6% in the latest state estimates reported by the CDC. The state continues to experience a substantial diabetes burden, making prevention, treatment, glucose monitoring, and access to healthcare important concerns for Nebraska communities.

For Omaha residents, diabetes management can involve regular medical appointments, prescription medications, blood glucose testing, continuous glucose monitoring, insulin delivery systems, and other supplies.

What This Means for Omaha Residents

Omaha is Nebraska's largest city and a major healthcare and employment center for the region. People managing diabetes in Omaha may travel between different neighborhoods and surrounding communities for work, medical appointments, shopping, and other daily activities.

That makes convenience particularly valuable when managing a condition that requires regular monitoring. Depending on a person's treatment plan, diabetes supplies can include glucose meters, test strips, lancets, continuous glucose monitors, or insulin delivery products.

Keeping track of these supplies is important. Changes in insurance, prescriptions, treatment plans, or diabetes technology can sometimes leave people with products they no longer need.

What Diabetes Supplies Are Commonly Used?

Diabetes management looks different for every individual. Some people use traditional blood glucose meters and test strips, while others use continuous glucose monitoring systems.

Common diabetes supplies can include:

Glucose meters and diabetic test strips

Lancets and lancing devices

Continuous glucose monitoring systems such as Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre

Insulin pumps and related supplies such as Omnipod

Insulin and other prescribed medications

The specific products a person needs depend on their diagnosis and treatment plan. Medical devices should always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and a healthcare professional's recommendations.

Why Diabetes Monitoring Supplies Matter

Monitoring supplies can provide valuable information that helps people and their healthcare teams understand blood glucose patterns and make appropriate treatment decisions.

Continuous glucose monitors can provide ongoing glucose information, while traditional test strips allow people to check their blood glucose at specific times. Neither approach is automatically better for every person; the appropriate monitoring method depends on factors such as the individual's treatment plan, medical needs, insurance coverage, and healthcare provider's recommendations.

For people who have been prescribed these products, having an adequate supply is an important part of maintaining their diabetes management routine.

Real-World Example: How Diabetes Affects an Omaha Household

Consider a hypothetical Omaha family in which one adult uses a continuous glucose monitor and another family member uses traditional blood glucose testing.

Over the course of a year, the household may accumulate boxes of sensors, test strips, lancets, or other supplies. If a prescription changes or the person switches to another monitoring system, some of those products may no longer be needed.

Instead of allowing eligible supplies to remain unused until they expire, the family could review the products they have and determine whether they qualify for a legitimate resale or buying program.

This example illustrates an important distinction: unused supplies should never be withheld from someone who needs them or used outside their intended purpose. Any products being considered for resale should meet the buyer's requirements and remain unopened, unexpired, factory sealed, and in their original packaging.

Why the Growing Number of People With Diabetes Matters

Understanding how many people have diabetes in the United States helps explain why diabetes education, healthcare access, and reliable supplies are such important topics.

With 40.1 million Americans estimated to have diabetes in 2023, the need for diabetes management extends across virtually every community.

The number also demonstrates why diabetes is not simply an issue affecting a small portion of the population. People with diabetes may require ongoing medical care and supplies for many years.

For businesses that purchase eligible unused diabetic supplies, transparency is especially important. A reputable diabetic supply buyer should clearly explain what products are accepted, what condition supplies must be in, how quotes work, and how the transaction is completed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes in the United States

How many people have diabetes in the United States?

The CDC estimates that approximately 40.1 million people of all ages had diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2023, representing about 12% of the population.

How many people have diagnosed diabetes?

Approximately 29.1 million people in the United States had diagnosed diabetes in 2023, according to the CDC's National Diabetes Statistics Report.

How many Americans have diabetes but don't know it?

The CDC estimates that approximately 11 million U.S. adults had undiagnosed diabetes in 2023. This represented about 27.6% of adults with diabetes.

How common is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes represents approximately 90% to 95% of diagnosed diabetes cases, according to the CDC.

How many people have prediabetes?

The CDC estimates that approximately 115.2 million U.S. adults had prediabetes in 2023.

What This Means for People With Extra Diabetic Supplies

As the number of Americans living with diabetes continues to be substantial, many households will encounter changes in prescriptions, insurance coverage, or diabetes technology. These changes can result in unopened supplies that are no longer needed.

If you are an Omaha resident with qualifying supplies, Sell Diabetic Supplies Omaha purchases eligible Dexcom, Omnipod, FreeStyle Libre, and diabetic test strip products that meet our requirements. Supplies must be unopened, unexpired, factory sealed, and in their original packaging.

Getting a quote does not require you to commit to selling. You can provide information and photos of your supplies and find out whether they qualify.

Diabetes Affects Millions of Americans

So, how many people have diabetes in the United States of America? The latest CDC data estimates that 40.1 million people had diabetes in 2023, including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Another 115.2 million adults had prediabetes.

These numbers demonstrate the enormous role diabetes plays in American healthcare and everyday life. For Omaha residents, managing diabetes can involve ongoing appointments, medications, glucose monitoring, and diabetes supplies.

If you have eligible diabetic supplies that you no longer need, Sell Diabetic Supplies Omaha can help you determine whether they qualify for purchase. We buy qualifying Dexcom, Omnipod, FreeStyle Libre, and diabetic test strips that are unopened, unexpired, factory sealed, and in their original packaging.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your diabetes care, medications, glucose monitoring, or treatment decisions.