November is American Diabetes Month, and diabetes is ever-growing throughout our population. According to the American Diabetes Association:
Currently, 20.8 million Americans, or 7 percent of the population, have diabetes, and this number is growing at a shocking rate. Between 1990 and 2001, diabetes prevalence in the United States has increased by more than 60 percent. The number of Americans with diabetes is now growing at a rate of 8 percent per year and is the single most prevalent chronic illness among children.One in three children born in 2000 will get diabetes in their lifetime. The odds are greater for minority children — one in two will develop diabetes in the same timeframe.
Each day approximately 4,100 people are diagnosed with diabetes. About 1.5 million people will be diagnosed this year. Another 6.2 million people are estimated to be undiagnosed and therefore untreated.
Another 41 million people have pre-diabetes, meaning their blood glucose levels are higher than normal and they are at higher risk of developing diabetes within 10 years of their initial diagnosis.
One out of every 10 health care dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications. In addition to the $132 billion in 2002 dollars in direct and indirect costs spent solely on diabetes each year, diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, adult-onset blindness and lower limb amputations and a significant cause of heart disease and stroke. While diabetes is currently one of the most costly health problems in America , many of these costs could be reduced by increasing awareness and improving prevention.
In the 1999 and 2000 petitioned for a cure and testified before Congress on diabetes cure research funding. This lead to a funding increase of approximately $100 million, the largest in seven years. Since then diabetes cure research funding has waned, as has support for diabetes related issues by our government. With your help, I know we can make a difference and show Congress and President Bush that Americans are serious when it comes to curing diabetes and to improving the quality of life for diabetics across the nation. Please sign the petition and pass it on to family and friends, as well. Thank you for both your help and support. Together, we will make a difference!
-John Mudd
Lifelong Diabetic
Article comments
1 - Rose
I watch this disease take my mothers life. I just wish to thank you for posting this here.
2 - Marcia L. Neil
Diabetes is a disease caused by "shunting" and its resultant psychosocial pressures. It's a safe bet that individual names are one reason for the 'placement policy' applications which socially engineer poltically-advantageous positions and the "shunting" interpersonal habit.