Devastating Toll of Diabetes Reaches $174 Billion

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(excerpt)

Study reveals costs have climbed 32% since 2002

Alexandria, VA (January 23, 2008) ? Diabetes is costing Americans $174
billion annually, a figure that has increased by 32 percent since
2002, according to a study commissioned by the American Diabetes
Association (ADA). The ADA, leaders from the Congressional Diabetes
Caucus, and diabetes experts discussed the economic impact of this
compelling new data during a congressional briefing today on Capitol
Hill.

The study reveals that the direct economic costs associated with
diabetes have reached unprecedented levels. Medical expenditures of
care for people with diabetes are estimated to be $116 billion, with a
disproportionate percentage of the costs resulting from treatment and
hospitalization of people with diabetes-related complications. The
findings also suggest that 1 out of every 5 health care dollars is
spent caring for someone with diagnosed diabetes.