Diabetes prevalence in Utah has grown from 5.8% in 2000 to 8.7% as of 2022, according to data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. While the rate of increase appears to be slowing, the disease continues to drive significant healthcare costs and remains a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations.
Regional Prevalence Disparities
The rising prevalence of diabetes in Utah is occurring alongside significant population growth. Between 2000 and 2022, Utah's population grew from 2.3 million to 3.4 million people, according to the Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) program.
State health data indicates that the age-adjusted rate for diabetes in Utah was 8.7% in 2022. This compares favorably to the United States age-adjusted rate of 10.8% for the same period, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services' Institute for Behavioral Research and Information Services (IBIS).
However, regional disparities exist within the state. The San Juan Local Health District reported a diabetes rate of 16.6%, which is higher than the state average. Other districts with rates exceeding the state average include the Southeast (10.2%), Tooele (10.6%), and Weber-Morgan (9.9%) local health districts. Conversely, the Wasatch and Southwest local health districts reported the state's lowest rates at 6.0% and 6.9%, respectively.
Economic and Individual Costs
The economic impact of the disease is substantial at both the state and national levels. In Utah, more than $1 billion is spent annually on the direct and indirect medical costs associated with diabetes.
Nationally, the financial burden is even greater. In 2022, the total annual cost of diabetes in the United States reached $412.9 billion. This total includes $306.6 billion in direct medical costs and $106.3 billion in indirect costs, such as disability, work loss, and premature death.
On an individual level, the American Diabetes Association found that people with diagnosed diabetes face medical costs that are, on average, 2.6 times higher than what would be expected in individuals without the disease. In 2022, the average amount spent on diabetes management was approximately $11,000 per person. Furthermore, the cost of insulin has seen dramatic increases, with spending on the medication tripling over the last decade—rising from $8 billion in 2012 to $22.3 billion in 2022.
The Threat of Prediabetes
Prediabetes represents a significant growing risk for the population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 97.6 million Americans aged 18 and older live with prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar rates are elevated but not yet high enough for a clinical diabetes diagnosis.
Among those with prediabetes, the risk increases significantly with age; rates rise to 48% for individuals over the age of 65. Health officials warn that without interventions such as increasing physical activity, eating a more nutritious diet, or losing weight, the majority of those with prediabetes will develop diabetes within 10 years.
Small lifestyle changes are noted as effective preventative measures. Losing 5-7% of body weight or increasing physical activity can help individuals delay or prevent the onset of the disease.
Management and Prevention Efforts
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services manages several programs aimed at managing and preventing the disease. The Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) program works to increase the number of locations offering Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) classes. These classes are typically taught by registered nurses, registered dietitians, or pharmacists who may also be Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES).
The Utah Healthy Aging Program also supports the community through the Living Well with Chronic Conditions program, which includes Diabetes Self-Management programs. These 6-week programs are available throughout the state at no cost and are taught by community members.
Additionally, the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) serves as an evidence-based method to prevent type 2 diabetes. The HEAL program works with statewide partners to promote the National DPP and is working to expand the number of available sites across the state.
Public Health Impact
Diabetes remains a critical public health concern due to its devastating long-term consequences. It is a leading cause of heart disease and is the primary cause of blindness among adults under the age of 75.
To assist residents, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services maintains a Health Resource hotline at 1-888-222-2542. Residents can also call 211 for information regarding various self-management programs available in their communities.
Data Methodology
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services relies on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as the primary source for estimating diabetes prevalence in the state. The BRFSS is a telephone survey conducted with adults aged 18 and older using both landlines and cell phones.
For the purposes of the diabetes indicator report, the definition of diabetes prevalence is the percentage of Utah adults aged 18 and older who reported being told by a healthcare professional that they have diabetes. This definition specifically excludes women who were told they had diabetes only during pregnancy and those who reported having 'borderline' or prediabetes.
