Women and Diabetes
How it can affect a number of issues

Today, almost 21 million children and adults in the US have diabetes — including 9.7 million women — and almost one third of them do not know it. Currently its the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States, and it has no cure.

Diabetes can be especially hard on women. The prevalence of diabetes is at least 2-4 times higher among African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander women than among white women. The risk for diabetes also increases with age. Because of the increasing lifespan of women and the rapid growth of minority populations, the number of women in the United States at high risk for diabetes and its complications is increasing.

The burden of diabetes on women is unique, because the disease can affect both mothers and their unborn children. Diabetes can cause difficulties during pregnancy such as a miscarriage or a baby born with birth defects. Women with diabetes are also more likely to have a heart attack, and at a younger age, than women without diabetes.

For women who do not currently have diabetes, pregnancy brings the risk of gestational diabetes. Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women — about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year.

The key to a healthy pregnancy for a woman with diabetes is keeping blood glucose (sugar) in the target range — both before she is pregnant and during her pregnancy. To do this, a diabetes treatment plan is needed to help keep meals, exercise, and insulin in balance. This plan will change as the woman changes with pregnancy. Gestational diabetes develops in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but disappears when a pregnancy is over. Women who have had gestational diabetes or have given birth to a baby weighting more than 9 pounds are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Diabetes in woman affects a wide range of issues including: Breast Cancer, Coronary Heart Disease, Eating Disorders, Gastroparesis and Diabetes Mental Health, Osteoporosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Sexual Health. ADA is currently working to improve the lives of women with, and at risk for, diabetes.

Because of the significant impact diabetes has on women, the American Diabetes Association created the Women and Diabetes Workgroup. Its mission is to represent, involve, and affect all women in our efforts to prevent and cure diabetes and improve the lives of people affected by this disease. This will be accomplished through gender and culturally tailored strategies to direct the Association’s activities and through targeted research, information, and advocacy efforts. To receive information about women and diabetes, call the ADA Call Center at 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383). Or share thoughts and ideas about how to best address women’s health issues, by contacting the Workgroup via email at: askada@diabetes.org.

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