Facts & Statistics About Celiac Disease

Thanks to a heads-up from Zach of Gluten-Free Raleigh (via our contact form), it looks like he has taken the time to put together and post a great collection of Celiac statistics and/or facts about Celiac Disease.

As Zach mentions in his post, you can use this information to continue to promote Celiac awareness in your local area.

Celiac Disease Facts & Statistics

• 1 out of every 133 Americans (about 3 million people) has Celiac Disease.
• 97% of Americans estimated to have CD are not diagnosed.
• CD has over 300 known symptoms although some people experience none.
• Age of diagnosis is key: If you are diagnosed between ages 2-4, your chance of getting an additional autoimmune disorder is 10.5%. Over the age of 20, that rockets up to 34%.
• 30% of the US population is estimated to have the genes necessary for CD.
• 2.5 babies are born every minute in the USA with the genetic makeup to have CD.
• There are 15 states in the US with populations less than the total number of Celiacs in the US.
• CD affects more people in the US than Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease combined.
• People with CD dine out 80% less than they used to before diagnosis and believe less than 10% of eating establishments have a ‘very good’ or ‘good’ understanding of GF diets.
• It takes an average of 11 years for patients to be properly diagnosed with CD even though a simple blood test exists.
• The US Department of Agriculture projects that the GF industries revenues will reach $1.7 Billion by 2010.
• GF foods are, on average, 242% more expensive than their non-GF counterparts.
• The Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act became law in 2006 allowing for easier reading of food labels for those with CD. What took so long?
• 12% of people in the US who have Down Syndrome also have CD.
• 6% of people in the US who have Type 1 Diabetes also have CD.
• Among people who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with Celiac, as many as 1 in 22 people may have the disease.
• There are currently 0 drugs available to treat CD.