Diabetes: New report shows spike in prevalence

ROCHESTER, NY (03/03/2010)(readMedia)-- One in ten upstate New York adults has been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and annual treatment costs are estimated to be $2.5 billion, according to a new report issued today by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. More than 377,000 upstate adults have been diagnosed, which is 81,000 more than just five years ago.

"To provide a visual reference, 81,000 adults could fill Ralph Wilson stadium where the Buffalo Bills play, and then some," said Dr. Robert J. Holzhauer, Excellus BCBS vice president and chief medical officer. "That's a staggering increase in adult diabetes here in upstate New York in the last five years."

According to the Excellus BCBS report, "The Facts about Upstate New York adults with diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes and estimated treatment costs," 9.8 percent of upstate New York adults have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes; up from 8.2 percent in 2003.

Holzhauer cites an aging population and the rise in obesity as the primary reasons for the increase in prevalence of diabetes.

The percentage of upstate New York adults who are overweight or obese, as classified by their body mass index (BMI), is 63 percent; up from 55 percent in 2003.

"The economic impact of diabetes and associated medical conditions and disabilities is something we should all be concerned about," said Holzhauer. "About one in five U.S. health care dollars is spent to provide care for individuals with diabetes."

For those living with the disease, average medical expenditures are about 2.3 times higher than what they would be without diabetes.

Adults with diabetes face roughly twice the risk of dying as those without the disease who are of similar age. Diabetes kills more Americans each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined. It is the leading cause of new blindness, kidney disease, and non-traumatic lower extremity amputation. It also is a major contributor to the state's and nation's leading killer, cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke).

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicts that if recent trends continue, eventually one in three Americans will develop diabetes during his/her lifetime.

"People need to change their attitudes and behaviors toward nutrition and exercise," said Holzhauer. "If they don't, the cost of treating diabetes will cripple the health care system as Boomers age and already obese children reach adulthood."

About Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In Type 1, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar (glucose), starches and other food into the energy needed for daily life. Type 1 diabetes is lethal if not treated with insulin.

• Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. In Type 2, either the body does not produce enough insulin or it loses its ability to properly utilize it. Generally, Type 2 diabetes is often preventable or amenable to lifestyle modifications and medication.

The full library of reports and fact sheets, including data on obesity and diabetes, are available at www.excellusbcbs.com/factsheets .

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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association, is part of a family of companies that finances and delivers vital health care services to 1.7 million people across upstate New York. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield provides access to high-quality, affordable health coverage, including valuable health-related resources that our members use every day, such as cost-saving prescription drug discounts and wellness tracking tools in our Step Up program. To learn more, visit www.excellusbcbs.com.