COLUMBIA (WACH) - The Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina hosted Diabetes Day at the Capitol on Wednesday to raise awareness of diabetes in the state.

According to the organization, diabetes rates in the U.S. have doubled in the last 16 years.

In South Carolina, the latest data showed 10.3 percent of the population had diabetes in 2009.

Over the past 15 years, the number of South Carolina residents with diabetes jumped from 144,000 to 348,000. Additionally, about 3,000 South Carolinians die annually from diabetes.

"We cannot afford to let these trends continue when it comes to both quality of life and economic impact," said Dr. Daniel T. Lackland, DSC Board Chair.

The Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina was created by legislative action and signed into law by the Governor of South Carolina in 1994.

The DSC is currently working throughout the state to help improve health outcomes for those with diabetes.

To learn more about the DSC, click here.