What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the body is either no longer making a hormone called insulin or the insulin that is made is not working as it should. Either way, high amounts of glucose (a form of sugar) build in the bloodstream and cause problems from damage to the eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and nerves. For this reason, diabetes is the primary cause of new cases of adult blindness, kidney failure, and non-traumatic lower-limb amputation. Over a million Michigan adults have diabetes.

What is Prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a condition where people have higher than normal blood glucose levels, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. People with prediabetes are at high risk of developing diabetes. In Michigan, it is estimated over 2.6 million adults have prediabetes.

For more information about diabetes or prediabetes visit the National Diabetes Education Program.

What is Chronic Kidney Disease?
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the result of long-term damage to the kidneys usually caused by chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. More than 900,000 Michigan adults suffer from chronic kidney disease.

For more information about chronic kidney disease visit the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan at www.nkfm.org 

Michigan Diabetes Reports

• Prevalence of Preventive Health Behaviors Among Michigan Adults by Diabetes and Prediabetes Status – Michigan BRFSS Surveillance Brief
• Oral Health and Diabetes Fact Sheet – 2013
• Impact of Diabetes in Michigan (2011-2014 Diabetes Action Plan and Burden Report)
• Diabetes in Michigan Update–2013
• Prediabetes Fact Page (2011)
• Gestational Diabetes Fact Page (2011)
• Additional Diabetes Statistics and Reports 

For questions, data requests or more information about the Michigan Diabetes Prevention and Control Program call 517-335-8853. 

Staff of the Diabetes and Other Chronic Disease Section

Michigan Programs

Diabetes Self-Management Education Certification Program

To increase availability and improve the quality of diabetes self-management education, the Michigan Department of Community Health, Certification Program has developed review criteria, based on national standards. The Certification Program staff provide consultation services related to the standards and certification process. Programs that meet criteria and are certified are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement.

Diabetes Prevention Program

Michigan's Diabetes Prevention Program began in 2005 as one of five state programs funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT). Through the Michigan Diabetes Prevention Program, public health programs have been created with community partners to address prediabetes and the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Michigan Partners on the PATH

PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) is a chronic disease self-management program that helps participants build the skills they need for the day-to-day management of a chronic disease. PATH is a six-week workshop and covers topics including healthy eating, relaxation techniques, problem solving and communication skills.

For more information, please contact Karen McCloskey at McCloskeyK@michigan.gov.