National Diabetes Survey

National Diabetes Survey 2016 report cover

The National Diabetes Survey is a periodic population-based probability survey of U.S. adults that has been conducted in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2016 to measure trends in diabetes awareness, knowledge, and behavior.

The survey samples more than 2,500 respondents including people with diabetes, people with prediabetes, people at risk, and others. Address-based sampling was used, with oversampling of African-Americans and Hispanics.

Get It Now 2016 National Diabetes Survey
(PDF, 1.34 MB)

Highlights from the 2016 National Diabetes Survey

  • Awareness of the link between diabetes and heart disease remains low.
  • Confidence and distress related to managing diabetes remains a problem for people with diabetes.
  • Frequency and awareness of A1C testing among people with diabetes has improved.
  • Having a known diagnosis of prediabetes seemed to influence behaviors among those at risk.
  • People are taking positive actions to improve their health and reduce their risk of diabetes, but there is room for improvement.
  • Doctors and family members continue to be important sources of information, advice, and counseling about diabetes.
  • The use of social media as a source of information on diabetes remains low. Paper tools remain most popular.

Background

The NIDDK launched the first National Diabetes Survey in 2006 to address a lack of national data on diabetes-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among U.S. adults, as well as on the management of diabetes by people with the disease. The NIDDK has since conducted this national survey every 2 to 3 years.

Survey results provide insights on trends that health care providers can apply in their own practices and that the diabetes community can use to reach populations affected by diabetes. Data from the National Diabetes Survey may complement statistics on diabetes prevalence and cost collected by other organizations.

The NIDDK has used National Diabetes Survey data to guide and assess program strategies. National Diabetes Survey data have also been used to develop and promote messages to help address perceived diabetes risk, prevention, and management behaviors.

National Diabetes Survey Published Papers

Findings From a National Diabetes Survey: Highlighting Progress and Opportunities for Diabetes Prevention and Care.
Kirkman S, Tuncer D, Brown C.
Diabetes Spectr. (2019 May) Abstract/Full Text
Insights from the National Diabetes Education Program National Diabetes Survey: Opportunities for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support.
Piccinino LJ, Devchand R, Gallivan J, Tuncer D, Nicols C, Siminerio LM.
Diabetes Spectr. (2017 May) 30(2):95-100. Abstract/Full Text
Applying national survey results for strategic planning and program improvement: the National Diabetes Education Program.
Griffey S, Piccinino L, Gallivan J, Lotenberg LD, Tuncer D.
Eval Program Plann. (2015 Feb) 48:83-89. Abstract/Full Text
Recent Trends in Diabetes Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behaviors: Implications for National Diabetes Education.
Piccinino L, Griffey S, Gallivan J, Lotenberg LD, Tuncer D.
Health Educ Behav. (2015 Oct) 42(5):687-696. Abstract/Full Text
Predictors of Perceived Risk of the Development of Diabetes.
Gallivan J, Brown C, Greenberg R, Clark C.
Diabetes Spectr. (2009 June) 22(3):163-169. Abstract/Full Text
Last Reviewed March 2019
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The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) was retired in 2019 after more than 20 years of collaborative partnership between the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), plus a network of more than 200 individuals and organizations. NDEP was successful in coalescing the diabetes community at the national level and raising awareness about diabetes prevention and management. Going forward, NIDDK will continue to advance science-based information and resources on diabetes.

This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.