2007 Price Tag For Diabetes

$174 billion

That would build 109 Met-Life Stadiums in East Rutherford, NJ (home of the New York Giants and the other New York team that claims it is going to the Super Bowl every year).

That's what it cost, in 2007, to care for the more than 25 million Americans with diabetes and the almost 80 million that have "pre-diabetes".  Keep in mind that much of this total cost is spent on managing the complications of diabetes. 

The disease leads to complications with the nervous system, vision, kidney function, the vascular system and blood pressure; it can also lead to heart disease and stroke.

"Renal failure leads to dialysis. With eye problems, you may need laser treatment. Blindness brings many other costs for daily living. If (diabetes) leads to amputation, it limits activity; if you have a physical job you may not be able to do it." And the list goes on. "The cost to the system itself is tremendous when people don't take care of diabetes."

Diet and exercise are the best tools to help avoid diabetes.  The endocrinologist contributing to this Missouri-based article recommends reducing calories rather than a specific diet.  The American Diabetes Association's recommendation of 150 minutes per week of exercise is noted. 

DIABETES "BY THE NUMBERS":
* 25.8 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes (8.3% of population)
* There were 1.9 million new cases diagnosed in people 20 and older in 2010
* Adult diabetics have a heart disease death rate 2-4 times higher than non-diabetics
* The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes
* In 2005-2008, 4.2 million people 40 and older with diabetes had diabetic eye disease 
* In 2008, 202,290 people with diabetic kidney disease were on dialysis
* 60-70% of diabetics have some degree of neuropathy (nerve damage)
* More than 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputation occur in people with diabetes

Read the complete article here.