Incidence of Diabetes Projected to Rise by 64% by 2025

The incidence of diabetes has risen dramatically since 1990. However, a recent study using data from the US Census Bureau projects that cases of diabetes (mainly type 2 diabetes) will soar by a further 64% between 2010 and 2025. This means that a staggering 53.1 million citizens will be affected by the disease by 2025. It is also projected that the health and societal costs associated with diabetes will increase by 72% to $514 billion. Data suggests that if 50% of diabetic patients received continuous, effective management and maintained good compliance over the next 15 years, it could prevent 305,000 new cases of renal failure, saving over $54 billion in dialysis costs, and prevent 369,000 lower extremity amputations, saving at least $15 billion in surgical and prosthetics costs. The researchers concluded: “Diabetes is a serious health issue in America, with every indication of a dramatic increase in prevalence, complications, and financial burden on society over the next 15 years. Reversing this “epidemic” will require major lifestyle changes and remaking our health care delivery system into one focused on proactive prevention and continuous access to coordinated, evidence-based management of chronic diseases.”