Number of New Diabetes Cases Drops in U.S.

Cases of diabetes in the U.S. have dropped after dozens of years on the rise.

The number of Americans with newly diagnosed diabetes has fallen, suggesting that the epidemic of the disease in the U.S. may be beginning to slow down, according to new updated data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new data shows that since 2009, the number of cases of diagnosed diabetes dropped significantly from about 1.7 million to around 1.4 million in 2014.

In general, cases of diabetes remain high. From 1980 to 2014, the CDC reports that the number of adults with newly diagnosed diabetes tripled.

While the numbers show a statistically significant decline in diabetes diagnoses, they don’t explain what is responsible for the drop. As the New York Times reports, it’s unclear whether diabetes has peaked among Americans or if prevention strategies are working. The Times notes that Americans’ diets have started to improve and people are drinking less soda than in the past, which might contribute to the decline.

Overall, around 29 million Americans have diabetes, and 86 million have prediabetes.