Contributing to Rising Health Insurance Rates
At
MSN Health, diabetes is found to be spreading into a worldwide epidemic. And while many Americans might wonder how that affects them, the truth is that diabetes treatment is a leading cause in the rising of
health insurance rates everywhere.
The statistics are disturbing. According to the article, each year, another 7 million people develop diabetes, while 3.8 million die of diabetes-linked causes. And, diabetes increasingly affects the young or middle-aged, shortening life spans and increasing the need for expensive diabetes treatment.
It used to be that only those with a genetic vulnerability were likely to become diabetic, namely Asians, Hispanics, and black peoples. However, with the spread of junk foods and cars, people everywhere are putting on weight and not getting enough exercise to stay healthy.
By 2025, the number of people with diabetes is expected to rise to 380 million worldwide. This will make important diabetes treatments, and especially insulin, more necessary and probably more expensive.
The total annual economic cost of diabetes in 2002 was estimated to be $132 billion, or one out of every 10 health care dollars spent in the United States. Health insurance rates reflect the fact that national inpatient hospital costs for diabetes with complications were nearly $3.8 billion in 2001. With appropriate primary care for diabetes complications, nearly $2.5 billion in hospital costs might have been averted, with significant potential savings obtained in Medicare ($1.3 billion of total costs) and Medicaid ($386 million of total costs).
Now imagine of those prescription medications were even more expensive?
Facts on:
Diabetes Treatment
Did you know...
Each year, another 7 million people develop diabetes?
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What we need to do is to stop the epidemic of diabetes through education and by providing healthier dietary options to everyone worldwide. Many fast-food restaurants have been changing their menus to reflect healthier fare. But it's the role of the doctor to explain to people how they need to eat, and how much exercise they need in order to protect their health.
Ironically, those who don't have access to medical coverage won't enjoy such a benefit. Hopefully, health insurance rates won't stay as they are forever, and everyone will learn how to avoid such an avoidable disease.
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