Guest Blog: Diabetes: Addressing Prevalence, Promoting Prevention by Deepak Patel, Pharm.D., Novo Nordisk, Medical Liaison – Managed Markets
Recent CDC data suggest that a staggering 40 percent of Americans are expected to develop type 2 diabetes during adulthood. Estimates are even higher for certain minority groups, at 50% for black women and for Hispanic men and women.
29.1 million people or 9.3% of the U.S. population have diabetes
Diagnosed: 21.0 million people
Undiagnosed: 8.1 million people
(27.8% of people with diabetes are undiagnosed)
All ages, 2012
One of the gratifying parts of my job is raising awareness about the prevalence of diabetes and promoting prevention. On November 13, I will be presenting at the diabetes employer summit at the Mall of America titled “Diabetes in the Workplace: Taking Action to Improve Health and Lower Costs.”
One of the things I will focus on is the National Diabetes Prevention Program. This public-private partnership of community organizations, private insurers, health care organizations, employers, and government agencies is establishing local evidence-based lifestyle change programs for people at high risk for type 2 diabetes. I will also help attendees understand how diabetes is affecting Minnesota, and how they can adopt readily available tools and resources to help their employees lead healthier lives.
I am proud that my employer highly values diabetes education, making a large library of materials available to all at no cost. Here are just a few links to pages patients tell us have helped ease the worry and stress that is often associated with diabetes:
Total (direct and indirect)
$245 billion
Direct Medical Costs
$176 billion
After adjusting for population age and sex differences, average medical expenditures among people diagnosed with diabetes were 2.3 times higher than people without diabetes.
Indirect Costs
$69 billion
(Disability, work loss, premature death)
Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Diabetes Among U.S. Adults Age 20 and Older
Number with diabetes (millions) | Percentage with diabetes (unadjusted) | |
TOTAL | ||
20 years or older | 28.9 | 12.3 |
BY AGE | ||
20-44 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
45-64 | 13.4 | 16.2 |
65 years or older | 11.2 | 25.9 |
BY SEX | ||
Men | 15.5 | 13.6 |
Women | 13.4 | 11.2 |
Source: 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination