According to a new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the annual cost of treating US adults with diabetes has almost doubled in just six years – from $6.7 billion in 2001 to $12.5 billion in 2007. The rise is being driven by increasing numbers of people with the disease, as well as new, costly drugs that have come on to the market – the study found that there is insufficient evidence to say whether these drugs are more effective than older treatments, or simply much more expensive.
It is predicted that by 2050, 7% of the population will have diabetes, compared to 4% in 2000. Clearly, without more effort being put into prevention of type 2 diabetes (improving diet and encouraging physical activity, for example), the cost of care will continue to rise.
Source: AFP, 28 October 2008