UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Nearly 1.7 million California adults age 18 and over (6.6%) have been diagnosed with diabetes, up from 1.5 million (6.2%) in 2001. The prevalence of diabetes nationally (6.6%) is similar to that in California. This policy brief examines the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in California based on data from the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS 2003). It also describes how the prevalence has changed since 2001 based on data from CHIS 2001. The brief concludes with public policy recommendations intended to reduce the risk of diabetes and its related complications.