A Diabetes Epidemic is Sweeping Across the U.S.

Diabetes has long been a problem in the U.S., but reports show that the disease is skyrocketing out of control. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), cases of Type 2 diabetes are up 90% from 1997. Roughly 24 million Americans, or 8% of the entire population, suffer from some form of diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious disease that, if left untreated, can become life-threatening. If you have diabetes, having proper health insurance coverage is critical.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder affecting the way our bodies make use of digested food. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose, the main source of energy for the body. Once glucose is present in the bloodstream, it must pass into the body's cells to spur growth and energy. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, plays a vital role in making glucose available to cells.

For people with diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or the cells do not respond properly to the insulin that is produced. Without insulin, glucose cannot be utilized and passes out of the body through the urine. Thus, the body loses its main source of fuel.

Obesity Fueling Diabetes Epidemic

The CDC reports that that new diabetes cases have nearly doubled in the past decade, and attribute much of that rise to obesity. Data found in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that nearly 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese. Roughly 90% of cases are attributed to Type 2 diabetes, the form linked to obesity. In all, over 1.6 million new diabetes cases were diagnosed in 2007.

An estimate by the CDC shows diabetes will affect 33% of Americans born after 2000. Even worse, it projects that diabetes cases in the U.S. will increase 165% by 2050.

The Astronomical Cost of Diabetes in the U.S.

According to a study conducted by the Lewin Group, diabetes is quickly becoming one of the most common-and expensive-diseases in the world. In 2007 alone, the financial toll of diabetes in the U.S. soared to a staggering $218 billion, accounting for one of every ten health care dollars.

The U.S. federal government already spends over $85 billion a year on diabetes. This cost includes basic treatment, disability payments, scientific research and other related costs.

Pre-Diabetes

Pre-diabetes affects people whose glucose levels are higher than normal but below diabetic levels. Many people with pre-diabetes develop Type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Pre-diabetes also increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. A report by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimates that 26% of American adults have pre-diabetes. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 40% of adults aged 45-74 had pre-diabetes in 2000.

Cutting Your Risk for Diabetes

According to WebMD.com, people can cut their risk of diabetes by 58% by doing just two things:

Losing 5% to 10% in body weight
Exercising for at least 30 minutes, five days a week

When Treating Diabetes, a Health Insurance Policy is Critical

Diabetes won't just "go away" without treatment; it's a serious disease that, if left untreated, could become life-threatening. If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes--or think you might--you need health insurance to keep yourself healthy.

Those with diabetes should visit a doctor or physician to help manage their diabetes. Without a proper health insurance policy, simple expenses like a doctor's visit or diabetes medication can prove extremely expensive. If you're referred to a specialist or need a team of doctors to help treat your diabetes, your out-of-pocket costs could be astronomical.

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