Final answer:
The 9% figure mentioned for the year 2014 accounts for the prevalence of diabetes in the United States, with type 2 diabetes being the most common form.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2014, 29.1 million people or more than 9% of the United States population had diabetes. This statistic represents the prevalence of diabetes within the country. Diabetes is a group of diseases that result in high blood sugar (glucose) levels that, over time, can damage various organs and systems in the body, potentially leading to serious health issues such as loss of eyesight, heart disease, and kidney failure.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common, accounting for about 90 percent of all diabetes cases in the United States, and it is most prevalent in people who are overweight or obese. Type 2 diabetes can often be managed or even reversed with a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining a normal body weight.