New findings suggest a drop in some diabetes-related complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Latest research results indicate that five major diabetes-related complications have dropped among adults in the U.S. in the last 20 years.

The study results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The CDC notes that diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death throughout the country. Roughly 26 million Americans already have diabetes, and an estimated 79 million have a condition called prediabetes, increasing their risk of developing diabetes.

Rates for five serious diabetes-related complications have declined, meaning less instances of end-stage kidney failure, lower limb amputation, stroke, heart attack and deaths caused by high blood sugar. Additionally, cardiovascular complications and deaths from high blood sugar fell by around 60 percent. The rates of strokes and lower limb amputations involving the upper and lower legs, feet, toes, and ankles, fell by nearly half. Rates for end-stage kidney failure were reduced by approximately 30 percent.

Senior epidemiologist in CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation and the study’s lead author, Edward Gregg, Ph.D., said in the CDC’s official press release, “These findings show that we have come a long way in preventing complications and improving quality of life for people with diabetes.” He continued, “While the declines in complications are good news, they are still high and will stay with us unless we can make substantial progress in preventing type 2 diabetes.”

According to the press release, the authors of the study linked the decline in diabetes-related problems to an increased availability of health care services, risk factor control and heightened awareness of the potential complications of diabetes.

The CDC researchers used data from National Health Interview Survey, National Hospital Discharge Survey, U.S. Renal Data System, and Vital Statistics to look at trends of diabetes-related complications throughout the country from 1990 to 2010.