Diabetes is more than just a number on a chart—it’s a condition that affects thousands of Delawareans every day. From Wilmington to Seaford, our communities face real challenges when it comes to managing and preventing this chronic illness. And some groups are hit harder than others.

That’s why we’re taking a closer look—not just at how many people are living with diabetes, but who, where, and why.

With the help of local and national data, we’re unpacking:

  • How diabetes affects Delaware by race and ethnicity
  • What patterns show up across our counties
  • How this ties into broader issues like access to care and community support

We’re not here to alarm you—we’re here to inform, inspire, and maybe even spark some change.

First let’s understand what diabetes and the causes of it. As defined by the Cleveland Clinic, diabetes is a common condition that affects the population of all ages. This condition occurs when your glucose (blood sugar) becomes too high and your pancreas either cannot make enough insulin or cannot make insulin at all, or when your body isn’t responding to the insulin that is being released adequately enough.

The most common type of diabetes is:

  • Type II diabetes: The body cannot make enough insulin and/or the body doesn’t respond normally to insulin – known as insulin resistance. This is the most common type of diabetes affecting mainly adults but can affect children as well.
  • Prediabetes: This is the precursor stage before Type II diabetes. The body’s blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough for an official diagnosis of Type II diabetes.
  • Type I diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas for an unknown reason. Roughly ~10% of people who have diabetes have Type I, most diagnosed in children and young adults, however, can happen at any age.
  • Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some mothers during pregnancy. Typically, gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy. However, if a person had gestational diabetes, they are at a higher risk of developing Type II diabetes later in life.

Now that we have the basics, let’s dig into the data.

Statewide Snapshot:

Over 1 in 8 adults in Delaware — 13.3%– had been diagnosed with diabetes in 2023, indicating a 12% increase from 2018. This trend is moving away from the states goal of 10.5%. This is signaling an urgent need for prevention and wellness efforts across the Delaware communities.

Why does it matter?

    • This rate is higher than both the national averages and the state goals, 11.3% and 10.5% respectively. It highlights the importance of:
      • Routine screening & early diagnosis
      • Prevention programs focusing on diet, exercise, and pre-diabetes
      • Policies that increase access to healthcare & healthy living

 

Table One: Diabetes Prevalence in Delaware

Year Prevalence (%) Target (%)
2022 13.9% 10.5%
2023 13.3% —
   

(Data represents adults diagnosed with diabetes; BRFSS survey estimates.)

Where You Live Matters:

Diabetes affects Delawareans across the state, but when we take a closer look there is some variations among the counties:

  • The highest rate of diabetes is found in Sussex County at 14.2%, followed by Kent County and New Castle County at 13.6% and 12.9%, respectively.

These regional differences, though slight, may reflect the vary access to health care, nutrition education, and lifestyle resources.

 

Breaking Down Diabetes by Race in Delaware:

In Delaware, diabetes doesn’t affect all communities equally. Black and American Indian or Alaska Native adults face the highest rates, with prevalence exceeding 16%. Hispanic Delawareans also show elevated rates compared to their White and Asian counterparts.

These disparities don’t occur in a vacuum—they’re shaped by historical and systemic inequities in access to healthcare, nutrition, transportation, and culturally tailored prevention programs.

Why does it matter?

  • Health equity isn’t just a buzzword – it is the foundation of effective chronic disease prevention.

 

Beyond the Numbers and Charts:

Diabetes is more than just a health condition that requires a diet change, it is a driver of long-term complications, co-morbidities, financial strain and other health inequities. Some examples include:

  • Cognitive Decline: Diabetes – specifically Type II – increases the risk of dementia and other cognitive impairments.
  • Heart Disease: Adults with diabetes are 2 times more likely to die from heart disease compared to adults without diabetes.
  • Quality of Life: Chronic fatigue, vision issues such as glaucoma, and mobility issues associated with diabetes can cause an impact on day to day lives.
  • Healthcare Cost: Cost of medical care, and lost productivity associated with diabetes cost the United States roughly $357 billion dollars a year.

 

Strive to a Healthier Delaware: Small Steps for a Big Impact

For Individuals and Families:

  1. Get up and move: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day. This includes but limited to:
    1. Walking
    2. Biking
    3. Running
    4. Yoga or Pilates
    5. Weight Training

 

  1. Eat Healthy: Aim for foods for veggies, fruits, lean protein (chicken breast, turkey, etc.) and whole grains. That doesn’t mean you have to skip out on a sweet treat every now and again of course.

 

  1. Keep an eye out on your numbers: Checking your blood pressure and cholesterol with regular wellness visits and bloodwork. You can also find blood pressure monitors over the counter at places that have a pharmacy such as Walmart or Walgreens

 

  1. Know your risk: You can use CDC’s Diabetes Risk Test to assess your chances of developing Type II diabetes. You can also consult with your primary care doctor about your risk and family history.

What can you do for your community:

  1. Share resources: help others find local support like wellness clinics, food pantries and wellness events.
  2. Advocate in the communities: support initiatives and policies that improve access to nutritious food, safe places to exercise and health education for children and adults alike.

By understanding the numbers, knowing who are the most at risk, and trying to promote small lifestyle changes, we can build a healthier future for Delaware. Whether is advocating and making changes for yourself or if you are sharing the resources within the communities, action is progress! Raising awareness, sharing resources, and supporting our neighbors in reducing the prevalence of diabetes across the First State!

 

References:

  1. CDC – Diabetes Data and Statistics
    https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/index.html

  2. CDC – National Diabetes Prevention Program
    https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html

  3. CDC – Diabetes and Health Equity
    https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/health-equity.html

  4. Delaware Department of Health and Social Services – Diabetes Program
    https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/diabetes.html

  5. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) – Delaware County-Level Data (2023)
    https://myhealthycommunity.dhss.delaware.gov/

  6. 2025 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps – Delaware
    https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/

  7. U.S. Chronic Disease Indicators Dataset (2025)
    CDC Chronic Disease Indicators – data.cdc.gov

 

Let’s Talk About Diabetes in Delaware
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