This year, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) made a splash when its authors declared that a full half of the American population had either diabetes or pre-diabetes (i.e. borderline blood sugar) between 2008 and 2012. The vast majority of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is often due to lifestyle factors, as opposed to type 1, which is genetic. While those numbers may seem bleak, diagnosis rates remained relatively steady throughout that period, so the researchers surmise that prevention efforts, including private workplace wellness programs, are making some impact. However, the formerly uncommon “adult onset” condition is now being diagnosed in children as young as three years old. Where does workers’ comp fit into this grim picture? We asked local experts to find out.