Diabetes kills more than 193,000 Americans each year and in the next ten years will contribute to the deaths of over 2 million Americans. Diabetes in the U.S. population increased 50% from 1990 to 2000. At current growth rates, more than 10% of all Americans will have diabetes by the year 2010. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls diabetes an epidemic. Southern West Virginia has the highest prevalence rate of Type 2 Diabetes in the state. Most people know that diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage and limb amputations but are not aware of the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke. How dangerous is diabetes? Consider the following facts:

• People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke. Their heart disease also tends to be more severe and they have a higher risk of heart failure and other complications.
• Diabetes causes nerve damage that makes painless heart attacks more likely and harder to diagnose. Heart attacks are more likely to be fatal in people who have diabetes than those don't.
• Diabetes tends to lower "good" cholesterol, and raise "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• About 70% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese, and many are not physically active.
• Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure.