Final answer:
The American Diabetes Association recommends an HbA1c goal of less than 7% for individuals with diabetes to delay or prevent complications. A 1% change in HbA1c reflects a change of about 30 mg/dl in average blood glucose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an HbA1c goal of less than 7% for individuals with diabetes. This level reflects the average blood glucose level over the past 4 months. Diabetics who achieve HbA1c levels close to 7% have a better chance of delaying or preventing diabetes complications. If the HbA1c level is above 8%, a change in treatment is usually needed. Lowering the HbA1c level by any amount can improve a person's overall health. For example, a 1% change in HbA1c corresponds to a change of about 30 mg/dl (1.67 mmol/L) in average blood glucose. An HbA1c of 6% corresponds to an average glucose level of 135 mg/dl (7.5 mmol/L), while an HbA1c of 9% corresponds to an average glucose level of 240 mg/dl (13.5 mmol/L).