Hinds County Diabetes Statistics: What Jackson Residents Should Know

Diabetes is a major health problem in Hinds County and the Jackson, Mississippi, area. But there’s more to it than just percentages.

Different public-health data sets use different years, populations, case definitions and methodologies. And some report diagnosed cases while others use local-estimate models. That means two different databases that are both reporting accurately may still show dramatically different results.

For Jackson and Hinds County residents, the more useful question is not simply, “What is the diabetes rate?”

It is also: What does that number actually measure, how does Hinds County compare with Mississippi and the United States, and what can residents do with the information?

This guide will present the local diabetes statistics, discuss the risk factors, analyze the information presented in the reports, and suggest what actions local residents can take to prevent or manage the disease.

Quick-Answer Statistics Table

These figures are not all derived from the same surveillance system. The diabetes and obesity figures above are CDC PLACES estimates from the 2023 release, and should not be conflated with newer county estimates available via the CDC U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System.

Article Index

1. What Do Current Diabetes Statistics Show in Hinds County?
2. How Does Hinds County Compare With Mississippi and the United States?
3. Have Diabetes Rates Increased in Hinds County?
4. Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes in Hinds County
5. What Do Prediabetes Statistics Tell Us?
6. Diabetes Risk and Age in Hinds County
7. Obesity, Physical Inactivity and Other Diabetes Risk Factors
8. Diabetes and Healthcare Access in Hinds County
9. Why Diabetes Statistics Can Differ Between Sources
10. What Do Diabetes Statistics Mean for Jackson Residents?
11. How Can Hinds County Residents Reduce Their Risk?
12. Diabetes Resources for Hinds County and Jackson Residents
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Bottom Line

Hinds County Diabetes Statistics at a Glance

• 15.3% — diagnosed diabetes among adults in the CDC PLACES 2023 estimate.
• 44.6% — adult obesity in the same CDC PLACES 2023 estimate.
• 115.2 million — estimated U.S. adults with prediabetes in the CDC’s latest national data; this is not a Hinds County estimate.
• 58% — approximate reduction in type 2 diabetes risk seen in the original Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention among high-risk adults.

What Do Current Diabetes Statistics Show in Hinds County?

The most useful starting point is the CDC’s U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System and the associated local data tools.

The U.S. has a national diabetes surveillance system, and the CDC has released its county-level diabetes information. The U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System was updated in 2026 with 2024 indicators for diagnosed diabetes, obesity, and physical activity at the county level.

Another resource is the CDC’s PLACES project, which provides estimates for counties and other statistical areas. By using model-based estimates, health indicators such as diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking can be analyzed by researchers and the public at large.

A CDC PLACES 2023 estimate puts diagnosed diabetes prevalence among Hinds County adults at approximately 15.3%, while the same data release estimates adult obesity at approximately 44.6%.

These numbers should be considered estimates for the area as a whole rather than reflecting the exact percentage of every individual diagnosed with diabetes.

CDC explains that PLACES uses statistical modeling and data from sources such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and American Community Survey to produce local estimates. These estimates are useful for understanding health patterns at the county level, but they should not be interpreted as a direct count of every resident.

For this reason, the source and data year should accompany any local diabetes statistic.

How Does Hinds County Compare With Mississippi and the United States?

Hinds County is in a state where a significant proportion of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes.

However, the comparisons are only meaningful if they pertain to the same case definition, data source, and period.

For instance, County Health Rankings defines the diabetes prevalence category as the percentage of adults aged 18 and older with diagnosed diabetes, with an age-adjusted estimate for the purpose of making the county-to-county comparison more meaningful.

County Health Rankings also indicates that its diabetes measure has changed over time.

Specifically, for the 2022 annual release, the source of the measure transitioned from the US Diabetes Surveillance System to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

This implies that one should not directly compare an older County Health Rankings number with a more recent CDC PLACES estimate as if they were based on the same source.

In fact, the overall context is far more important than the differences County Health Rankings and CDC PLACES may have in their approach and sources.

In particular, the fact remains that Hinds County has a substantial diagnosed-diabetes burden, and diabetes prevention and management are still a priority for years to come.

The broader set of local health data also shows why diabetes should not be considered in isolation.

For instance, obesity, physical inactivity, and hypertension, as well as access to healthcare and other social determinants, can contribute to the development of the disease and impact efforts to manage it.

Have Diabetes Rates Increased in Hinds County?

This is one of the most important questions one should ask while assessing local diabetes statistics.

A single prevalence estimate is not sufficient to demonstrate a trend in diabetes incidence.

Prevalence reflects the proportion of a population that has a condition at a given point in time or during a specific period, whereas incidence is the rate at which new cases of the condition occur during a specified period.

Both concepts are related but distinct, and the two metrics should not be used interchangeably.

The number of diagnosed cases in Hinds County can change for multiple reasons. The underlying number of people with diabetes may increase, but demographic shifts, population aging, improved screening, healthcare access, survival, and changes in surveillance methodology can also affect measured prevalence.

For example, an increase in screening can lead to higher detection rates of previously undiagnosed cases, thus raising the overall number of diagnosed cases even if the true prevalence has not changed significantly.

Therefore, to assess a trend in diabetes prevalence accurately, it is necessary to analyze several years’ worth of data from the same surveillance system, and not compare prevalence estimates from different sources using differing methodologies.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes in Hinds County

Most cases of diabetes in the United States are type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin to survive.

Type 2 diabetes develops through a combination of insulin resistance, impaired insulin production, genetics, age, body composition, physical activity, diet, and other metabolic factors.

Available county-level statistics do not generally allow one to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes for a specific county, like Hinds County.

What Do Prediabetes Statistics Tell Us?

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range.

It’s important that people with prediabetes are aware that they have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes as well as several other health issues.

The CDC estimates that 115.2 million U.S. adults aged 18 and older had prediabetes based on the latest available national data.

That national number should not be extrapolated down to a Hinds County number.

If you don’t have an estimate for Hinds County, it’s better to say so than to take a national percentage and apply it to your county.

Hinds County residents should know that if they have any additional risk factors for diabetes it’s a good idea to talk to their healthcare provider about getting a blood glucose test instead of waiting for symptoms to appear.

The good news is that having prediabetes does NOT mean that you will inevitably develop type 2 diabetes.

The CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program research found that a lifestyle change program focusing on modest weight loss and increased physical activity reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by approximately 58% among participants who were at high risk.

Consequently, it would be misleading to attempt to cite a particular percentage of type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the Hinds County population, unless one had a local breakdown of the relevant data.

What can be stated with confidence is that type 2 diabetes vastly predominates in the United States and is associated with many of the factors that are typically measured in local public-health data.

Diabetes Risk and Age in Hinds County

Age is an established risk factor for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Generally speaking, the older a person is, the higher their risk of developing type 2 diabetes is. As such, age-adjusted statistics are useful when comparing counties with one another.

A county with a higher percentage of older individuals will necessarily have a different diabetes distribution from a county with a younger population, all else being equal.

This is also why an increase in the number of diabetic individuals does not automatically entail that the chance for each person in that population to independently develop the disease has increased.

Age interacts with some of the other risk factors, however.

An older person may, for instance, have a greater risk due to being overweight or obese, potentially combined with a family history of diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as a lack of physical activity.

Age is one factor that can influence metabolic health and insulin sensitivity. Our guide explains how age affects insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes and why this matters as people get older.

Younger adults can also develop type 2 diabetes, particularly when multiple risk factors are present.

Diabetes prevention and screening should take an individual’s overall risk profile into account rather than relying on age alone.

Obesity, Physical Inactivity and Other Diabetes Risk Factors

Obesity is among the major modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Current CDC PLACES data show that obesity among adults is also considerable in Hinds County, the local estimate amounting to some 44.6%, though the exact number depends on which release and measure is used.

Obesity is not necessarily the sole reason for developing diabetes, as the disease is multifactorial and genetics, advancing age, family history, physical inactivity, diet, blood pressure, and other metabolic factors play a role.

Another risk factor is lack of physical activity.

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity and aids in controlling weight, so that moderate activity, recommended by the CDC as a part of a lifestyle program for people with prediabetes, should amount to at least 150 minutes a week.

Physical activity does not necessarily mean a visit to the local fitness center.

Walking, biking, swimming, active leisure time, domestic tasks, and strength training are all examples of activity that can be included in a weekly exercise schedule.

Finally, diet is a significant contributor to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Diet is another important part of diabetes prevention and management. Understanding the connection between diet and diabetes can help residents make more informed choices about everyday meals and beverages.

Yet another thing worth considering is the fact that diabetes risk should not be seen as a matter of individual responsibility.

The food someone buys, the amount of exercise they do, and the opportunities for affordable, healthy eating and exercise available to them depend on things like their employment, access to transportation, the state of their neighborhood, and other social factors.

Diabetes and Healthcare Access in Hinds County

Health care access is another crucial factor, which may explain discrepancies between local diabetes statistics.

Both diabetes and prediabetes can remain asymptomatic for an extended period of time, meaning that some patients might be unaware of their condition until a specific medical examination.

The availability of primary care, preventive screenings, medication, diabetic education, nutritional counseling, and other services can affect diabetes prevalence rates.

The Central Mississippi Community Health Needs Assessment identifies healthcare access as an important local health issue, including differences in insurance coverage and access to care in Hinds County.

These factors may affect whether residents receive preventive care, screening, and ongoing diabetes management.

Instead, healthcare access can affect how likely people are to receive screening and diagnosis, which can influence the number of diagnosed cases recorded in local data.

Namely, the ease of screening and treatment affects the likelihood of people actually knowing about their condition. Hence, it is the second reason why a change in the number of diagnosed cases should be considered with caution.

Why Diabetes Statistics Can Differ Between Sources

It is expected to find different percentages of diabetes for Hinds County when conducting research. This does not mean that any source is incorrect.

There are several reasons why there could be a difference in the information:

Different years of data collection

A 2023 estimate is not the same thing as a 2024 estimate.

Different populations

One source may be estimating the percentage of diabetes within adults 18 years of age or older, while another may be using a different model.

Different methods of calculation

Some local estimates are mathematical models of survey and demographic information, as opposed to testing every single person in the county.

Age adjustment

Age-adjusted figures are used to make different populations more comparable.

Different definitions being used

A source might be referring to diagnosed diabetes rather than total diabetes, which includes those who have not yet received a diagnosis.

For this reason, it is best to always check what source you are using, what year of data is being used, who the population sample is, and how the statistic is defining diabetes when a local statistic is being used.

What Do Diabetes Statistics Mean for Jackson Residents?

Local statistics can provide useful context, but they do not determine an individual’s personal risk of developing diabetes.

Therefore, if one has risk factors for the disease, such as being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having a family history of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or gestational diabetes, one should consult with a doctor about undergoing screening.

Screening is particularly important for people who have risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Lifestyle changes, including physical activity, healthy eating, and modest weight loss, if needed, can prevent type 2 diabetes.

For those who already have diabetes, the emphasis is on managing the disease.

The doctor might prescribe oral medication or recommend blood tests, a balanced diet, moderate exercise, control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and regular screenings for potential diabetes complications.

The relationship between excess body weight and metabolic health is well established. Our guide on obesity and type 2 diabetes explains how excess body fat can contribute to insulin resistance and increase type 2 diabetes risk.

How Can Hinds County Residents Reduce Their Risk?

Not everyone can prevent type 2 diabetes, and some risk factors cannot be changed

However, here are some evidence-based steps that can reduce risk or help people manage the condition:

Stay Physically Active

At least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week is a useful goal for many adults.

If you have been sedentary, start slow and work up to more activity per week, and do activities that are appropriate for your overall health and fitness level.

Work towards a Healthy Weight, when Appropriate

For people with prediabetes who have overweight or obesity, modest weight loss can help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

You need not go on a rapid or extreme diet, but instead aim for a slow and steady rate of weight loss.

Choose a Healthy Eating Plan

Focus on a diet that has plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and other nutrient-dense foods your body requires, and avoid highly-processed foods and consume fewer sugar-sweetened beverages.

Get Tested for Diabetes

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can develop without any notice or warning. If you are at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, ask your healthcare professional about getting tested.

Take Diabetes Seriously

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to take it seriously and to work with your healthcare professional to control your blood sugars and other cardiovascular risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure.

Do not stop or change prescribed diabetes medication, or replace it with an over-the-counter product or dietary supplement, without first discussing the change with your healthcare professional.

Some people also consider dietary supplements as part of their diabetes routine. If you are considering one, learn how to choose safe dietary supplements for diabetics and discuss the choice with your healthcare professional.

Take Advantage of Diabetes Education and Prevention Programs

There are various programs that offer a solid foundation of diabetes prevention, education, and management that can help with nutrition, exercise, weight loss, medication use, glucose monitoring, and more.

These lifestyle measures can support healthier blood glucose levels. Residents looking for practical strategies can also review our guide on how to lower blood sugar naturally.

Diabetes Resources for Hinds County and Jackson Residents

Residents of Hinds County can turn to the Mississippi State Department of Health’s resources for diabetes prevention, screening information, and diabetes self-management education.

In addition, the Mississippi State Department of Health provides information about Diabetes Prevention Programs for people with prediabetes and diabetes self-management and support programs for those who have already been diagnosed.

Local residents should confirm program availability, eligibility requirements, locations, and appointment details directly with the appropriate health department or healthcare organization.

Individuals who have already been diagnosed with diabetes can also consult with their physician, diabetes care team, pharmacist, registered dietitian, or other qualified healthcare professional about their individual care needs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the diabetes rate in Hinds County?

The CDC PLACES 2023 estimate for Hinds County is approximately 15.3% of adults in Hinds County have been diagnosed with diabetes. Because PLACES estimates are models, they should be updated as new data become available. Always cite the source and the year of the data when using PLACES figures.

Is diabetes more common in Hinds County than in the United States?

Current Hinds County estimates indicate a substantial diagnosed-diabetes burden. However, comparisons with Mississippi or the United States should use the same source, population definition, and data year whenever possible.

Has diabetes increased in Hinds County?

A single prevalence estimate cannot indicate whether diabetes incidence is increasing

To document a change in incidence, investigators need comparable measurements over time and should consider differences in screening, diagnostic criteria, population demographics, and other factors that may change during the period of study.

How common is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes makes up the majority of all cases of diabetes in the United States, but a reliable current percentage separating type 1 and type 2 diabetes cases in Hinds County is not available from the county-level sources discussed here.

How common is prediabetes?

The CDC estimates that 115.2 million U.S. adults have prediabetes based on the latest national data. This national statistic should not be used as a Hinds County estimate unless a reliable local source provides one.

When should Jackson residents be screened for diabetes?

Screening recommendations are based on age, weight, risk factors, and medical history. Instead of using one age cutoff for everyone, you should talk to your doctor about whether and when you should be screened.

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

Type 2 diabetes can’t always be prevented, but it can often be delayed or prevented in people who are at high risk.

The CDC-supported Diabetes Prevention Program found that a structured lifestyle change program cut the chances of developing type 2 diabetes by about 58% among adults at high risk.

Where can Hinds County residents find diabetes support?

The Mississippi State Department of Health provides resources for diabetes prevention and self-management assistance. Residents should also talk with their healthcare professional, diabetes care team, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian.

Bottom Line

Hinds County has a significant number of diagnosed cases of diabetes, and current local statistics explain why diabetes is a priority health issue in the Jackson area.

However, the statistics must be put into perspective.

A percentage alone cannot indicate whether diabetes is increasing, and the two cited databases report varying percentages based on differing dates, populations, definitions, and methodologies.

The best way to assess Hinds County diabetes statistics is to consider local reputable resources over time while also reviewing vital risk factors such as age, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, family history, diet, and access to preventive healthcare.

For individuals, the statistics should provide useful context rather than cause alarm. They also reinforce the value of knowing your risk factors, getting appropriate screening, and taking evidence-based steps to prevent or manage diabetes.

And people with diabetes can reduce their risk of complications by receiving consistent medical care and making appropriate lifestyle and treatment choices.

Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Testing, treatment, medication, and lifestyle advice for diabetes should be tailored to each person by a qualified physician.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PLACES: Local Data for Better Health
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PLACES Methodology
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes Risk Factors
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prediabetes: Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
6. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes
7. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Mississippi Data and Resources
8. Why Trust Us?
9. For Educational Purpose Only