If you have diabetes, you represent less than 10% of the population. However, over the next few decades, you’re likely to have more company then anyone previously forecast until now.
A new study just released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the incidence of diabetes is likely to double or possibly triple by 2050. Currently, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes annually is about 8 for every 1000 people. By 2050, the CDC predicts nearly 15 of every 1000 people will be diagnosed with the highly controllable and preventable disease annually. This increase could bring the average incidence of diabetes to more than 30% of the population.
The study, which was reported in the journal Population Health Metrics, offered some of the reasons for the anticipated increase, including:
- Higher rates of obesity and overweight
- Increases in minority groups with a higher risk of the disease
- Longer live expectancies for people who have diabetes
Impact on health care system anticipated
Today, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure and preventable foot amputations. In addition, for people younger than 75, diabetes is also the leading cause of blindness. Other complications resulting from diabetes also have serious and costly health care consequences, such as heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol and more.
With all the complications that affect people with diabetes, the average patient has 2.3 times the typical medical costs of people without the disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, the total annual cost of diabetes in the US in 2007 was more than $174 billion, of which $116 billion was attributed to direct medical costs. If the trend continues, this financial impact could be increased by two or three times in just a few decades. Health care officials are calling for more educational support now to try and stem the trend before it can become overwhelming.
Act now to protect yourself and control your diabetes
It is well proven that making immediate and radical changes to health and fitness can have a significant impact on controlling Type 2 diabetes, possibly even delaying the need to take medications. The key is to maintain a healthy balance — both in your blood glucose levels and in your lifestyle.
If you have metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes or even early stages of diabetes, you can still achieve potent, lasting results through meal planning and fitness. Talk to your doctor and examine your lifestyle to determine what you can do in the areas of Diet, Exercise, Stress and Sleep to help better control how the disease impacts your body and increase longevity.
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