Why Diabetes Is Increasing in Harrison County Gulfport?

Diabetes represents a substantial health burden in Harrison County and the Gulfport area, but determining exactly why the number of diagnosed cases changes over time is more complicated than simply pointing to one risk factor.

Type 2 diabetes develops through a combination of risk factors rather than a single cause. Age, family history and genetics, overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, diet, blood pressure, and other metabolic factors can all influence a person’s risk.

Moreover, the community’s environment plays a substantial role in the development and progression of the disease since access to healthcare resources, preventive care, healthy food, exercise, and diabetes education significantly impact the number of diagnosed cases.

An important nuance to note is that an increase in diagnosed cases does not necessarily mean that the number of people who actually have diabetes has risen. The reason for it could be either population growth or enhanced screening and surveillance efforts, as well as prolonged survival of patients with diagnosed diabetes.

Thus, for Harrison County, the situation with a surge of diabetes cases is explained by the combination of factors rather than the predominance of one particular reason.

Article Index

1. What Do Current Diabetes Numbers Show in Harrison County?
2. Why Is Diabetes a Concern in Harrison County?
3. Population Age and Diabetes Risk
4. Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Risk
5. Physical Inactivity and Diabetes
6. Diet, Food Access, and the Local Health Environment
7. Healthcare Access, Screening, and Earlier Diagnosis
8. Social and Economic Factors Can Affect Diabetes Risk
9. Why Diabetes May Appear to Be Increasing
10. What Rising Diabetes Burden Means for Harrison County
11. What Can Harrison County Residents Do to Reduce Diabetes Risk?
12. Diabetes Resources in Harrison County and Gulfport
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Bottom Line

What Do Current Diabetes Numbers Show in Harrison County?

Current county-level estimates need to be interpreted with care due to different public-health-related datasets utilizing different years/methodologies.

The CDC’s U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System now provides county-level indicators for diagnosed diabetes, obesity, and physical activity, and includes newer 2024 data. The CDC notes that its local surveillance tools were designed to produce estimates that can be compared both within and between counties as well as other geographic areas.

A current CDC PLACES data reported for Harrison County reflects a substantial burden of diabetes with an estimated 14.3% of adults living with diagnosed diabetes and approximately 36.7% with obesity within the dataset currently available for the county.

County Health Rankings also provides valuable insights for local health comparisons. Its 2025 data provides an estimate of about 12.3% diabetes prevalence and about 34.7% adult obesity for Harrison County.

These numbers should not be treated as contradictory measurements of the exact same population at the exact same time, but rather demonstrate the need for a local diabetes article to identify the source and data period whenever it reports a prevalence estimate.

Taken together, these datasets indicate that diabetes and obesity represent substantial health burdens in Harrison County, although the estimates come from different sources and data frameworks.

The CDC also warns that PLACES estimates are model based, relying on data such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Census population information, and American Community Survey data, but are nevertheless useful for understanding local health trends, and should not be considered a direct count of every person living with diabetes.

Why Is Diabetes a Concern in Harrison County?

Type 2 diabetes is influenced by several different risk factors.

According to the CDC, risk factors include being overweight or obese, being over a certain age, having a family history of type 2 diabetes, being physically inactive, having had gestational diabetes, and other factors.

An individual may be able to control some of these risk factors.

They cannot control others, like age and family history.

However, regular physical activity, healthy eating patterns, and, when appropriate, modest weight loss can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

This is why it is significant in Harrison County- Singing River Health System — 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment lists obesity and physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, affordability of medications, access to primary care and specialty care, transportation, and access to nutritional counseling as community health needs.

It is more useful to know that the community has these risks in common rather than just that diabetes is becoming more common because people are becoming overweight or obese.

Population Age and Diabetes Risk

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

The CDC has identified being 45 or older as one of the risk factors for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Risk also increases with age.

This is important to consider while reviewing local diabetes trends because the age structure of the community can impact the number of people that will develop or be diagnosed with diabetes.

An increase or decrease in the proportion of older people in the community will impact the number of people living with an age-associated condition.

However, that does not mean that diabetes is increasing in Harrison County.

Age needs to be considered as a factor that can exacerbate diabetes burden.

Age is also likely to interact with other risk factors. An older adult who is overweight or obese, has high blood pressure, has a family history of diabetes, and is physically inactive has more risk factors for diabetes.

Therefore, age should encourage us to be vigilant about diabetes prevention and early detection.

Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Excess weight is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Current local estimates of adult obesity in Harrison County are in the mid-30% range, depending on the database and time of release. The CDC PLACES estimate currently reported for the county is about 36.7%, while the 2025 County Health Rankings estimate is about 34.7%.

The exact percentage should therefore always be accompanied by its source and period of data.

The important point is not the couple of percentage point difference between databases. It is that a significant proportion of adults in Harrison County have obesity, and obesity is strongly associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Excess body fat can contribute to insulin resistance. Over time, the pancreas may struggle to produce enough insulin to compensate for the body’s increased requirements.

It does, however, not mean that everyone who has obesity develops diabetes, nor that body weight is the sole determinant of an individual’s health.

Diabetes risk comes from multiple factors, including genetics, age, family history, physical activity, diet, and other metabolic conditions.

For people with prediabetes and overweight, even relatively minor weight loss can make a huge difference. The CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program is based on the evidence that losing about 5% to 7% of body weight while increasing physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

For example, for a person weighing 200 pounds, the goal would be to lose roughly 10 to 14 pounds, not to expect that a significant change is needed.

If you want to understand the relationship between excess weight and diabetes in greater detail, see our guide on obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Physical Inactivity and Diabetes

Physical inactivity is another risk factor.

The CDC identifies regular physical activity as an important component of prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes. The CDC’s prevention guidance for people with prediabetes recommends working towards at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

Physical activity in people who already have diabetes can also improve insulin sensitivity, helping them to better manage their condition’s effects on blood glucose levels.

The American Diabetes Association’s 2026 guidance also recommends regular aerobic and resistance activity as part of diabetes care.

Importantly, physical activity does not necessarily have to take place in a gym.

Walking, bicycling, swimming, participating in recreational activities, performing physical chores around the home or structured exercise can all contribute to the individual’s overall activity level.

In Harrison County, the local community health assessment identified physical inactivity as one of the health issues that the community and community stakeholders consider important.

This does not necessarily prove that inactivity on its own is causing the local rise in diabetes cases, but it does provide local support for the fact that physical activity is a relevant public-health issue.

People who have diabetes or other health problems should choose activities appropriate for them and/or consult with their healthcare professional if they are unsure what activities are appropriate for them.

Diet, Food Access, and the Local Health Environment

Diet is another important factor in diabetes risk and management.

A consistently high-calorie, high-refined-carb, sugar-sweetened beverage-heavy, and ultra-processed diet may exacerbate the difficulty in managing weight and blood sugar.

On the other hand, it would be wrong to attribute the diabetes cause solely to the individual’s choice.

The local food environment can affect diet-related behaviors.

Singing River Health System’s 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment determined that community health problems included poor dietary habits and access issues.

The community members and stakeholders also noted the presence of challenges in terms of financial access to care, transportation, and shortage of places to exercise or get diet and nutritional counseling.

This is significant because diet is not only about choosing healthier foods.

Many factors have to be taken into account when determining the dietary preferences of a person. These include the cost of food, working hours, transportation, home facilities, local availability, family members’ preferences, and whether a person has received nutritional education.

Therefore, for a person aiming to avoid developing type 2 diabetes, a sustainable diet is more effective than a restrictive one.

The American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Standards of Care emphasize individualized nutrition therapy and evidence-based eating patterns, including Mediterranean-style and lower-carbohydrate approaches where appropriate.

For more information about dietary approaches and diabetes, see diet and diabetes.

Healthcare Access, Screening, and Earlier Diagnosis

Healthcare access is another matter.

Diabetes can develop over years without noticeable symptoms. The same can happen with prediabetes.

The CDC reports that people can have prediabetes for years without realizing it, which is part of why appropriate blood glucose testing is important for those at increased risk.

This creates a crucial distinction in interpreting local statistics.

If a greater number of residents are receiving recommended screenings, then some of the previously untested individuals now have their condition diagnosed.

The number of diagnosed cases could rise even if the underlying prevalence of diabetes remained relatively stable.

In other words:

More screening → more cases detected → higher number of diagnosed cases

does not necessarily mean:

More screening → diabetes suddenly became more common.

Improved detection may prove to be positive as early diagnosis allows for timely treatment and lowers the chances of developing complications.

Mississippi State Department of Health recommends blood sugar testing for those with higher risks, and offers resources for diabetes prevention and self-management.

The Mississippi State Department of Health’s Harrison County Health Department is located in Gulfport and provides local public-health services. Residents should contact the department directly to confirm current services, eligibility requirements, appointments, and testing options.

Social and Economic Factors Can Affect Diabetes Risk

Diabetes risk is not independent from a person’s living environment

The Singing River Health System — Community Health Needs Assessment found several areas where barriers to health and quality of life existed for county residents: transportation, healthcare affordability, access to primary care, access to appropriate specialists, and opportunities for exercise and nutritional counseling.

Each of these areas could contribute to diabetes risk or complications.

For instance, a person without reliable transportation might not be able to see a doctor

A person who cannot afford medications might struggle to stay adherent to a diabetes treatment plan

A person who works long hours might not have time to go to diabetes education or exercise classes.

A person who lives in an area without access to affordable healthy food might have a more difficult time managing their diet than a person who shops at a neighborhood grocery store.

None of these circumstances necessarily dictate that a person will get diabetes, but they help explain why diabetes prevention and management require more than just encouraging people to “eat better and exercise.”

Why Diabetes May Appear to Be Increasing

There are several potential reasons why the diabetes burden in Harrison County may increase or appear to increase.

The age structure of the population can influence diabetes burden

Because type 2 diabetes becomes more common with age, changes in the age structure of a community can influence the number of people living with or being diagnosed with diabetes. However, this does not by itself establish that diabetes incidence is increasing.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for the disease

The county has a considerable burden of adult obesity, and obesity is highly implicated in the etiology of type 2 diabetes.

Physical inactivity is a prevalent risk factor

Insufficient physical activity is an established risk factor and is recognized as a local health problem.

Dietary factors and the local food environment can contribute to the disease

Diet, food affordability, availability, and the opportunity to receive dietary education can influence weight and overall metabolic health.

Health care access can influence the ability to prevent, monitor, and treat the disease

Access to care, including transportation, cost, primary care, and specialist care, can influence preventative screening and management of the disease.

Increased screening can result in an increased number of diagnosed cases of diabetes

Increased screening can result in more previously undiagnosed cases being identified. This can increase the number of diagnosed cases or the measured prevalence without necessarily demonstrating an increase in diabetes incidence.

This is perhaps one of the most significant differentiating factors between many of the previously mentioned articles concerning an apparent rise in diagnosed diabetes.

There may be a combination of multiple different risk factors

An individual may exhibit multiple risk factors.

For instance, an individual may be an obese older adult with high blood pressure, a lack of physical activity, and a family history of diabetes, which may compound the risk of developing the condition beyond any single risk factor.

What Rising Diabetes Burden Means for Harrison County

A significant diabetes burden is an issue because diabetes can have multiple effects on health.

It is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, vision-threatening eye disease, neuropathy, and foot ulcers, among other conditions.

This means that a diabetes burden involves extended implications for the affected population, including the need for continued primary care, diabetes education, nutritional services, laboratory diagnostics, medication access, eye care, treatment of renal disorders, cardiovascular disease management, and other services.

The community health assessment performed in the local community is concerned with several of these issues.

Its implementation plan contains measures related to diabetes and prediabetes care, endocrinology, dietitian services, screenings, physical activity, and wellness programs.

This is an important point, as it demonstrates that diabetes is not just an abstract number in Harrison County, but a serious local community concern that has to be approached through prevention, treatment, education, and access to care.

For a broader overview of diabetes management, see our guide to understanding and managing diabetes, which covers the major aspects of living with and managing the condition.

What Can Harrison County Residents Do to Reduce Diabetes Risk?

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

But there are some evidence-based things that everyone can do to lower risk or reduce its impact.

Follow a Healthy Eating Pattern

Focus on an eating pattern that is appropriate for your needs and that you can stick to.

Incorporate vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, lean protein, nuts, seeds, and other healthy foods in amounts that fit your nutritional needs.

Cutting back on sugar-sweetened beverages and highly processed foods also may help reduce calorie and carbohydrate intake.

Be Physically Active

For most adults, a good goal is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.

If you are not used to being physically active, do not feel pressured to begin exercising vigorously or for prolonged periods of time.

Start Slow, then Build up to the Recommended Amount

Lose excess weight if you have overweight or obesity.

If you have prediabetes and are overweight, modest weight loss may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.

Do not try to lose large amounts of weight, or fast.

Weight loss should be gradual and steady.

Get Tested if You think you are at Risk

Because type 2 diabetes and prediabetes often have no symptoms, it is important to get your blood glucose tested if you are at higher risk.

Take Diabetes Treatment Seriously if already Diagnosed

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, taking care of yourself goes beyond managing your blood sugar.

It includes working with your doctor to get medical care, taking any needed medicines, managing other health conditions such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, getting recommended screenings, eating well, getting physical activity, and more.

Use Diabetes Education and Prevention Programs

Educational programs can help make diabetes management easier.

Mississippi State Department of Health offers a variety of diabetes self-management and prevention programs, including a Diabetes Prevention Program for people with prediabetes and diabetes self-management and education and support programs for people with diabetes.

If you are considering a dietary supplement, our guide explains how to choose safe dietary supplements for diabetics and what to check before using one.

Diabetes Resources in Harrison County and Gulfport

For local assistance, residents can contact the Harrison County Health Department in Gulfport.

The Mississippi State Department of Health currently lists the Harrison County Health Department at:

1102 45th Avenue

Gulfport, MS 39501

The department is listed as open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The current MSDH listing provides the appointment number and local telephone number.

Because clinic services and appointment requirements can change, residents should verify current information directly with the health department before visiting.

Mississippi State Department of Health also provides information about diabetes prevention and self-management programs. These programs can be particularly useful for people with prediabetes or people who need additional support managing an existing diabetes diagnosis.

Local hospital and community-health organizations also participate in efforts addressing diabetes, obesity, physical activity, nutrition, and access to care.

Residents looking for more information about local prevention and diabetes care can also explore our guide to diabetes prevention and management in Harrison County.

The Harrison Memorial Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment and implementation plan specifically identify diabetes, obesity, chronic conditions, endocrinology access, dietitian services, screenings, and physical activity as areas requiring continued community attention.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is diabetes increasing in Harrison County, Mississippi?

Current data indicate a high diabetes burden in Harrison County, but a single prevalence estimate cannot establish whether incidence is increasing.

Demographic changes, obesity, physical activity, healthcare access, screening, and diagnosis can all affect the number of detected cases. Therefore, diabetes trends should be evaluated using comparable data sources across multiple years.

What is the rate of diabetes in Harrison County?

It depends on which data source and year you’re examining; current estimates vary depending on the data source, methodology, and data year.

The CDC PLACES estimate for the current prevalence of diabetes in Harrison County is approximately 14.3%, but the 2025 County Health Rankings estimate is approximately 12.3%.

They should not be compared to one another as though they’re equivalent measurements taken from the same source.

Why is type 2 diabetes so common in Mississippi?

Mississippi has a substantial diabetes burden, and multiple factors can contribute, including overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, aging, family history, diet, healthcare access, and socioeconomic conditions.

Overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, aging, family history, high blood pressure, and other metabolic conditions all play a role.

Can improved screening lead to higher diagnosed rates of diabetes being recorded?

Yes.

An increase in screening can lead to more people being formally diagnosed, even if they already have the condition.

If screening improves, the diagnosed prevalence estimate would increase, even if the true, underlying prevalence of diabetes is actually stable.

Is obesity a cause of type 2 diabetes?

Obesity contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes, typically by increasing insulin resistance, but it’s not the sole contributor.

Genetics, aging, family history, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and other metabolic conditions all contribute.

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

While type 2 diabetes cannot always be prevented, it can often be delayed or even avoided in those determined to be at high risk.

According to the CDC, modest weight loss, when appropriate, and increased physical activity are recommended lifestyle changes for those at high risk.

Their National Diabetes Prevention Program builds upon evidence that structured lifestyle coaching can substantially reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in those with prediabetes.

Where can residents of Harrison County go for further assistance with regard to diabetes?

The Harrison County Health Department (Gulfport) is a good first point of contact; Mississippi State Department of Health can also provide diabetes prevention and self-management resources.

Those already diagnosed with diabetes should also speak to their doctor, diabetes care team, pharmacist, registered dietitian, or other healthcare provider about what steps they should take to manage their condition and receive the education and support they need.

Bottom Line

Diabetes in Harrison County and Gulfport is too multifactorial to be explained by a single reason.

Such a disease can be related to several coexisting causes, including age, obesity, physical activity, diet, genetic predisposition, access to healthcare, socio-economic factors, and many others.

Furthermore, the number of diagnosed cases does not necessarily reflect the actual number of people with the condition, as improved screening methods allow detecting more cases.

Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the situation based on the information available in the locality, analyze the trends, identify potential risk factors and determinants, and assess their impact on the population’s health.

In this situation, the most important advice to the population would be to determine whether they are at risk and take all necessary tests. It would also be critical to encourage people to maintain an active lifestyle, eat healthily, and work toward a healthy weight when appropriate for their individual circumstances.

In addition, it might be helpful to remind the locals to seek appropriate diabetes screening if they have risk factors, and maintain regular medical care as recommended by their healthcare professional.

Medical Disclaimer:

For educational and informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or any other medical conditions, please consult with a qualified medical practitioner about your risks and individual treatment options.

References: 

• CDC — U.S. Diabetes Surveillance System
• CDC — PLACES Methodology
• County Health Rankings — 2025 Mississippi Data
• CDC — Diabetes Risk Factors
• CDC — Prediabetes: Your Chance to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
• American Diabetes Association — Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026
• Singing River Health System — Community Health Needs Assessment
• why trust us?
• for educational purpose only

(Last Date Revised: February 16, 2026)