There are nearly 24 million people suffering from diabetes in United States – says a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday.

According to CDC Report, nearly 8 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes, mostly the type-2 diabetes linked with obesity, poor diet and a lack of exercise. The number of Americans with diabetes has grown to about 24 million; i.e. an increase of more than 3 million in two years, since 2005.

The CDC Report, based on 2007 data, articulates that 57 million people have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes, and up to 25 percent of people with diabetes do not know they have it, which is decrease from 30 percent two years ago.    

The report shows that 25% of the population 60 years and older had diabetes in 2007. It reveals that the highest rates were among Native Americans and Alaska Natives, with 16.5 percent affected. It also shows that nearly 11.8 % of blacks, 10.4 % of Hispanics, 7.5 % of Asian Americans, 6.6 % of whites, 12.6 % of Puerto Ricans, 11.9 % of Mexican Americans, and 8.2 % of Cubans had diabetes.

According to the CDC data, Georgia was hit hard by diabetes; in 2005, 8.4 % of adults in Georgia had diabetes, and in 2006, 9.1% of all adults in Georgia had diabetes.

Dr. Ann Albright, director of the CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation, said, "It is concerning to know that we have more people developing diabetes, and these data are a reminder of the importance of increasing awareness of this condition, especially among people who are at high risk.”

"On the other hand, it is good to see that more people are aware that they have diabetes. That is an indication that our efforts to increase awareness are working, and more importantly, that more people are better prepared to manage this disease and its complications," said Dr. Albright

Dr. Albright added, "Georgia certainly falls into a part of the country that is very hard hit by diabetes. Some have referred to this part of the country as the 'stroke belt.' But we could also refer to it as the 'diabetes belt.”