According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 23 million Americans have diabetes, and last year about 1.6 million new cases were diagnosed in people 20 or older. It seems that the highest rate was in West Virginia, where about 13 in 1,000 adults were diagnosed with the disease. The lowest was in Minnesota, where the rate is 5 in 1,000.

"It isn't surprising the problem is heaviest in the South - no pun intended," said Matt Petersen, who oversees data and statistics for the American Diabetes Association. An estimated 90 percent to 95 percent of the new cases are Type 2 diabetes as opposed to Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes. Type 2 is generally linked to obesity.

Based on reporting from 33 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports important new information on where new cases are emerging each year, giving a timelier picture of where the disease is exploding. From now on the government and health insurers will know better where to take measures and how great the risks really are.

All in all, the study proved that new diabetes cases increased from 4.8 per 1,000 people in 1995–1997 to 9.1 per 1,000 in 2005–2007, reported Karen Kirtland, Ph.D., of the Division of Diabetes Translation, and colleagues in the Oct. 31 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

First of all, experts say that losing even modest amounts of weight and getting more physical exercise can help prevent diabetes. Unfortunately many people are not taking these steps. "I think what's important about seeing where the incidence is high is it should be a guidepost about where we have to focus prevention efforts," Petersen said.