The number of Americans with diabetes and the cost of are on the rise according to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014, from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. In 2010, 26 million Americans had diabetes—that number rose to 29.1 million in 2014, or 9.3 percent of the U.S. population. Of those 29.1 million with diabetes, 8.1 million people have undiagnosed diabetes.

These statistics are troubling since the CDC estimates the total cost of diabetes has increased from $174 billion in 2010 to $245 billion in 2012, or a 41 percent increase in costs. These costs include medical expenses, disability, work loss and premature death.