The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has mapped out what they are calling "the diabetes belt."
It includes 644 counties in 15 states with the highest diabetes rates. One path runs from southwestern Pennsylvania through QWest Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennesse. It connects with one running from Texas, across the south, into Florida, and northward into Ohio.
People living in those areas have common characteristics, such as more obesity, and sedentary lifestyles.
High-diabetes pockets were also found in Oklahoma, Michigan, Arizona,and the Dakotas.
There was no differentiation between the types, however, about 90 per cent of the cases nationally are diabetes 2, also called adult-onset diabetes.
Doctors say the map will help them see which communities need special programs aimed at preventing or controlling diabetes.
The "diabetes belt" is very similar in geography to the "stroke belt" laid out by the same health officials in the 1960s. Both
