Welcome to the State of California 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition marked by high levels of blood glucose (a form of sugar) resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both.  There are several types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes.  Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, amputations, and kidney failure, and is a major contributor to heart attacks and strokes.  Overall, the risk for death among people with diabetes is about twice that of people of similar age without diabetes.  Diabetes reduces life expectancy by eighteen years if diagnosed at age 20, fourteen years if diagnosed at age 40, and ten years if diagnosed at age 60.

Last modified on: 6/3/2009 3:04 PM