Policy Brief Paper
Background & Significance of the Policy Issue Diabetes is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, lower limb amputations and kidney failure in the United States (CDC, 2013a; Green, Brancati, & Albright, 2012). Diabetes is also a major cause of diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, stroke and the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S. (CDC, 2013a; O 'Connor, & Wellenius, 2012). The Centers for Disease Control estimated that diabetes would affect up to 33% of the U.S. population by 2050. In 2010, nearly 26 million individuals living in the U.S. had been diagnosed with diabetes and about 79 million are at high risk of developing the disease; this figure is almost more than three times higher than the total population living with diabetes in 1980 (Green, Brancati, & Albright, 2012), (CDC, 2013a; O 'Connor, & Wellenius, 2012; Zhou et al, 2012). About 1.9 million new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S. and its prevalence has increased 5- to 7- fold in the U.S. (Green, Brancati, & Albright, 2012; ADA, 2013). About 90-95% of all newly diagnosed diabetes is directly linked to type 2 diabetes (CDC, 2013a; O 'Connor, & Wellenius, 2012). Diabetes was identified as a major public health problem in the 21st century. Another 8% of the total U.S. population has diabetes and about 7 million of them do not even know that have the disease (CDC, 2013b; Green, Brancati, & Albright, 2012). It is estimated that Americans born in the year 2000 will have an increased risk of developing diabetes; about 40% of females will acquire it and about 30% of males will do as well (Green, Brancati, & Albright, 2012). It is projected that the prevalence of diabetes will be at approximately 44 million people by 2034 (Zhou et al, 2012).
Economic Impact Diabetes, the fifth cause of death in the U.S. affects approximately 13% of adults and about $90 billion is spent annually towards medical care (Sieber, Newsome, & Lillie, 2012). Diabetes cost is estimated to be at $174
Economic Impact Diabetes, the fifth cause of death in the U.S. affects approximately 13% of adults and about $90 billion is spent annually towards medical care (Sieber, Newsome, & Lillie, 2012). Diabetes cost is estimated to be at $174
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