In the past decade, the number of people with diabetes in North Carolina has increased by 102 percent, according to the North Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control.

Now, more than 9 percent of North Carolinians have diabetes, according a report by the Diabetes Prevention and Control.

“Our state is facing a crisis. We need to help North Carolinians take steps to prevent diabetes or we risk being overwhelmed by the health and economic consequences of an ever-growing diabetes epidemic,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia said in a press release. Plesica is the Chronic Disease and Injury Section chief in the N.C. Division of Public Health.

New data shows diabetes is becoming more common among middle-income adults, adults between the ages of 35 and 44 and those age 65 and older, males and whites, the release stated.

It continues to ravage the African-American, Hispanic and American Indian populations; their rates of death and disability from diabetes and related problems like heart attacks, stroke, blindness, amputations and kidney failure exceed those of other groups, the release said.

For a copy of the report, visit www.ncdiabetes.org or call 1-877-362-2678.