Public health leaders talk about diabetes in epidemic terms. In Milwaukee alone, 40% of people are at high risk for developing diabetes, which is 14% higher than the state average.
The direct and indirect costs of diabetes in Milwaukee County alone is nearly $1.2 billion annually. The average medical expenses for a person with diabetes are $13,700 per year, according to the American Diabetes Association - approximately 2.3 times higher than people without diabetes.
But, what exactly is diabetes?