RALEIGH (AP) ó A new state report says diabetes is an epidemic that shows no sign of slowing down in North Carolina.
The News & Observer reported Thursday that the state Division of Public Health said the number of people with diabetes had risen from 4.4 percent in 1996 to 9.1 percent two years ago.
The national diabetes rate is 7.5 percent.
More than 16,000 people were treated in hospitals for diabetes in 2006 at a cost of $257 million.
Dr. Marcus Plescia of the health department said the trend could be reversed with exercise and consumption of healthy foods instead of high-calorie food.
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Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com