Descriptive Epidemiology Case Study 1

Managerial Epidemiology – HAS 535
– Descriptive Epidemiology Case Study: Diabetes

Descriptive Epidemiology Case Study 2
Diabetes, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States is a disease in which the body has a shortage of insulin, a decreased ability to use insulin, or both. Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be converted to energy. When diabetes is not controlled, glucose and fats remain in the blood, and, overtime, damage vital organs. In a healthy person, blood sugar levels, which fluctuates based on food intake, exercise and other factors are kept within an acceptable by insulin. Insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas, helps the body absorb excess sugar from the bloodstream; therefore, in people with diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin thus increasing the blood sugar levels making it difficult to be controlled by insulin.
Type 1 diabetes, diagnosed in children and young adults (although it can occur at any age) is an autoimmune disease that may be caused by genetic, environmental or other factors. It accounts for about 5 percent of diabetes cases. Although there are no known ways to prevent it, administration of insulin is an effective treatment. Type 2 diabetes which accounts for 90-95 percent of cases is usually associated with older age, obesity and physical inactivity, family history of type 2 diabetes or a personal history of gestational diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through healthy food choices, physical activity, and weight loss however, insulin and oral medication may be necessary. Gestational diabetes, a form of glucose