Diabetes numbers on 'alarming' rise in U.S.

The CDC report, based on health data from 2012, also showed that 1.7 million people aged 20 years or older in the United States were newly diagnosed with diabetes in the same year.

Non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native adults are about twice as likely to have diagnosed diabetes as non- Hispanic white adults, it said.

However, for prediabetes, the percentage of U.S. adults with the condition is similar for non-Hispanic whites (35 percent), non- Hispanic blacks (39 percent) and Hispanics (38 percent).

The CDC said diabetes and its related complications accounted for 245 billion U.S. dollars in total medical costs and lost work and wages in 2012. That's up from 174 billion dollars in 2007.

Diabetes is a serious disease that can be managed through physical activity, diet, and appropriate use of insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels. Another important part of diabetes management is reducing other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and tobacco use.

People with diabetes, according to the CDC, are at increased risk of serious health complications including vision loss, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation of toes, feet or legs, and premature death.