Sharing LIGHT and HOPE for People with or at Risk for Diabetes
DIABETES IN KENTUCKY’S
SENIOR CITIZENS
DIABETES IS A COMMON DISEASE
Although diabetes affects all age groups, it becomes more common with age. Of Kentucky’s population age 65 and older, an estimated 16.3% have been diagnosed with diabetes, compared with 7.4% for Kentuckians under age 65. (2005)
Kentucky Adults with Diagnosed Diabetes, by Age, 2005
Age
18-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Percent
3.1%
10.8%
18.1%
16.3%
DIABETES IS A CONTROLLABLE DISEASE
Much of the sickness and death associated with diabetes can be eliminated through aggressive treatment approaches to normalize blood glucose levels including routine physician visits, self-management training, dilated eye exams, foot exams, and A1C checks.
The table below shows the preventive care practices reported by individuals with diabetes in the older and younger age groups, compared with the statewide average.
Reported Preventive Care Practices Among
Adults with Diabetes, Kentucky
Preventive Care Practice
Statewide
Age <65
Age 65+
2002
2003
2004
2005
2002
2003
2004
2005
2002
2003
2004
2005
Saw a health professional for diabetes at least 1 time in the past year
94%
91%
93%
91%
95%
92%
Ever taken a course or class in how to manage diabetes
44%
47%
47%
50%
38%
42%
Checked blood glucose at least 1 time per day
64%
66%
65%
68%
62%
62%
Received a dilated eye exam in the past year
70%
71%
66%
68%
77%
76%
Received a foot exam at least 1 time in the past year
63%
63%
62%
64%
65%
61%
Received a flu vaccination in last year
55%
49%
44%
38%
75%
71%
Ever received a pneumonia vaccine
44%
45%
31%
32%
68%
70%
Had A1C checked at least 2 times in the past year
59%
62%
59%
66%
59%
54%
Data Sources: Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Kentucky Diabetes Network, Inc.
P O Box 4245
Frankfort, Kentucky 40604-4245
DIABETES IN KENTUCKY’S