According to HealthDay News, the number of people with diabetes in the United States is expected to double over the next 25 years, a new study predicts bringing the new total to about 44 million by 2034 from the 23.7 million currently. Alarmingly, at the same time the cost to treat will likely triple rising from $113 billion in 2009 to $336 billion in 2034.
The researchers indicated that a factor in the escalating costs is the number of people living with diabetes for lengthy periods. Over extended periods the costs increase because of the need of dealing with significant complications such as end-stage renal disease, which requires dialysis or kidney transplants, visual impairments, and other physically challenging conditions.
The study author was Dr. Elbert Huang, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.
The study is published in the December issue of Diabetes Care.
The American Diabetes Association recommends watching your diet, losing weight, and exercising as a way of preventing onset of diabetes.
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