diabetes diet

Quick Facts About the Costs of Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus, also known as diabetes, is a chronic disease associated with high levels of blood sugar glucose. There are two mechanisms involved: inadequate production of insulin in the pancreas, or inadequate sensitivity of cells to its action. Diabetes is a growing epidemic in the U.S. affecting over 30 million children and adults. That is 1 in 11 Americans affected by this disease. 84 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes – 90% of them don’t know they have it. Approximately every 21 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with diabetes.

The new cases of diagnosed diabetes have begun to decline. However, if there are no major changes, as many as 1 in 3 U.S. adults could have diabetes by 2050.

The Staggering Costs of Diabetes

Human Costs of Diabetes

  • African Americans and Hispanics are over 50% more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites
  • People with diabetes are at higher risk of serious health complications:
    1. – STROKE
    1. – BLINDNESS
    1. – KIDNEY DISEASE
    1. – HEART DISEASE
    1. – LOSS OF TOES, FEET, OR LEGS

Economic Costs of Diabetes

  • The total cost of diabetes and prediabetes in the U.S. is $322 billion
  • The average price of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013
  • People with diabetes have health care costs 2.3 times greater than those without diabetes.

Resource: www.diabetes.org

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