To be able to survive, people with type 1 diabetes must have insulin delivered by injection or a pump. Many people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose by following a healthy meal plan and exercise program, losing extra weight, and take medication orally. One of the many facts about diabetes that we do know is that most people with diabetes also need to take medications to control their cholesterol and blood pressure.  Among those who have been diagnosed with diabetes, only 16% receive insulin, 12% take insulin and oral medications to control other conditions, 57% take oral medications only, and 15% do not need insulin or any other type of medication.  Finding out you have diabetes is very scary. Diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, lives.