NOVEMBER IS AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH,
TIME TO COMMUNICATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF DIABETES AND
IMPORTANCE OF DIABETES PREVENTION AND CONTROL
~ Small Business
Owners Say Current Business Climate Is Bad But Maybe
It Will Get Better ~
November 2011
(Washington, D.C.) – Nearly
26 million children and adults in the United States
have diabetes. Another 79 million Americans have prediabetes
and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Recent
estimates project that as many as one in three American
adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take steps
to Stop Diabetes.
Diabetes is also costly. The
American Diabetes Association estimates that the total
national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States
is $174 billion. Direct medical costs reach $116 billion,
and the average medical expenditure among people with
diabetes is 2.3 times higher than those without the
disease.
Indirect costs amount to $58
billion (disability, work loss and premature mortality).
Further published studies suggest that when additional
costs for gestational diabetes, prediabetes and undiagnosed
diabetes are included, the total diabetes-related costs
in the U.S. could exceed $218 billion. The cost of caring
for someone with diabetes is $1 out of every $5 in total
healthcare costs.
November is American Diabetes
Month, a time to communicate the seriousness of diabetes
and the importance of diabetes prevention and control.
For years, the American Diabetes Association has used
this month as an opportunity to raise awareness of the
disease and its serious complications.
The American Diabetes Association
will pay tribute those who have raised their hand and
worked to Stop Diabetes® every day. People, places and
programs that are working hard to change the future
of diabetes will be highlighted. At the same time, Americans
will be rallied to join these champions in the Stop
Diabetes movement by pledging to take actions against
diabetes.
Each week in November, a different
focus in the Stop Diabetes movement will be featured:
-
Week 1: Fighting for the Future – Giving
a voice to those denied their rights because of
diabetes and fighting for diabetes funding.
-
Week 2: Impacting Communities – Building
relationships around the country to empower people
to take control of their health.
-
Week 3: Celebrating Health – Recognizing
courageous people who have overcome the obstacles
of living with diabetes and the places that have
helped them.
-
Weeks 4 & 5: Commitment to a Cure – Spotlighting
the important research taking place that will lead
us toward an eventual cure.
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