Sign in Subscribe
Medicare

Diabetes Epidemic in the US: A Threat to Public Health

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The American Diabetes Association warns of a dire situation facing the country, with nearly 26 million Americans living with diabetes and another 79 million with prediabetes. The Association strongly opposes the FY 2012 House budget resolution due to its drastic cuts in funding for vital diabetes research and prevention programs. If implemented, these cuts will lead to devastating complications such as blindness, amputation, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FY 2012 House budget resolution proposes to cut discretionary public health programs, including vital diabetes research and prevention programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • The proposed reductions will severely hamper diabetes efforts at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease at the NIH and the Division of Diabetes Translation at the CDC.
  • The American Diabetes Association opposes the conversion of Medicaid into a block grant program, as it may reduce access to quality healthcare for low-income individuals.
  • The proposal to privatize the Medicare program may shift additional healthcare costs to older and disabled Americans.
  • The Association estimates that the cost of diabetes will reach $218 billion in 2007, and this number will continue to rise unless urgent action is taken.
  • The FY 2012 House budget resolution will lead to costly and preventable complications, including blindness, amputation, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 26 million Americans live with diabetes.
  • Another 79 million Americans have prediabetes.
  • Diabetes costs the country $218 billion in 2007.
  • The FY 2012 House budget resolution proposes to cut funding for vital diabetes research and prevention programs.
  • The proposed reductions will severely hamper diabetes efforts at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease at the NIH and the Division of Diabetes Translation at the CDC.

Read more