Diabetes in America
The situation
America now has over 21 million diabetics, a figure that constitutes approximately 7 per cent of the total population. It is estimated that 14.6 million people have been diagnosed with the condition, leaving well over 6 million unaware that they are suffering from the disease.
Pre-diabetes is at epidemic levels in the United States, with a reported figure of 41 million people affected/ Long-term damage to the body, later manifested as the complications of diabetes, may already be occurring in pre-diabetics.
In America, gestational diabetes affects about 4 per cent of all pregnant women.
There are about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in America every year. Furthermore, in America, one out of every ten healthcare dollars is spent on treating or managing diabetes and its related complications. In 2002, the total economic cost for the year of diabetes healthcare was estimated at $132 billion.
More Information
- http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/america/ - Comprehensive source of US diabetes information
- http://www.diabetesamerica.org/ - Online US diabetes magazine
- Please take a moment to look at the diabetes.co.uk forum, an online discussion board for the American diabetic community: America Forum
