In My Community

The Scope of Diabetes in Hampton Roads, Virginia

Today, the State of Virginia is home to over half a million men, women and children with diabetes. An estimated 175,000 people in Hampton Roads are living with diabetes.

Unfortunately, Virginia has received more than its share of the diabetes epidemic. While our national average is 8.3%, a disproportionate 8.7% of Virginians have diabetes.

African-Americans suffer from diabetes more than any other racial/ethnic group in Virginia. 13.5% of black Virginians report having been diagnosed with diabetes, compared to 8.5% of white Virginians. For Virginians aged 65 and over, 21.5% have diabetes.*

Too many of us are at risk. That diabetes is our eighth leading cause of death is a grim reminder of just how serious this deadly disease and its resulting complications truly are.

There is a Financial Cost, Too

Diabetes also threatens Virginia's financial health. On average, people with diabetes have medical expenditures more than double that of people without the disease. Annually, there are almost 200,000 hospital admissions attributed to diabetes in Virginia, the cost of which exceeds $5 billion.*

How Could This Happen? Consider the Following...

• Of adult Virginians, 33% are overweight, while another 53% are obese
• 39% report no leisure physical activity
• Of 9-12th grade students, 28% are overweight or obese
• Only 18% of these students eat enough fruits and vegetables
• Only 47% get adequate physical activity
• 31 % of these young people watch 3 or more hours of TV on a typical school day**

What Can We Do About It?

We can get healthy, one Virginian at a time. Obesity, inactivity, and poor diet are clearly linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. You can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through a healthy lifestyle. Change your diet, increase your level of physical activity, and maintain a healthy weight. With these positive steps, you can stay healthier longer and reduce your risk of diabetes. You can also support our fight against diabetes by participating in one of our fundraising events or by making a donation.

The Hampton Roads Office

The American Diabetes Association's Hampton Roads office is responsible for all of Hampton Roads, VA and northeastern North Carolina. In 2011...

• We reached over 50,000 people through health fairs and other community events
• We reached thousands more through media campaigns and appearances
• We recruited over 2,000 advocates in Virginia, who are passionate about improving the lives of all people affected by diabetes
• The American Diabetes Association of Virginia raised about $1.2 million in 2011 through special events and contributions.  Of that amount, $900,000 was raised by the Greater Hampton Roads Association office.

This year we plan to do even more. We anticipate reaching twice as many people at local community events and expect to recruit more advocates as well as raising even more funds.We will continue funding research projects at Virginian institutions (currently there are thirteen, with total grant commitments exceeding $5 million).

If you have any questions, need help or want to help us fight diabetes, please don't hesitate to contact us at, hjeayang@diabetes.org, or 1-888-Diabetes.

Let's Stop Diabetes!

*Diabetes Executive Summary, page 2.  Virginia Department of Health.
**2011 Virginia Youth Survey, Virginia Department of Health.