The economic burden of diabetes in America continues to climb, exceeding more than $322 billion in excess medical costs and lost productivity in 2012, or more than $1,000 for every American, according to a study being published in the December issue of Diabetes Care that also includes a state-by-state breakdown of the prevalence and costs associated with diabetes. Additionally, increased costs associated with prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes highlight the growing importance of prevention and early intervention.
The study, which follows up on a similar report published in 2010 and expands upon data released last year, shows a 48 percent overall jump in direct and indirect costs associated with diabetes over just five years. The estimates include the financial impact from those diagnosed with diabetes (21 million people) as well as the undiagnosed (8.1 million people), those with gestational diabetes(approximately 222,000 people) and adults with prediabetes (86 million people), a condition in which blood glucose levels are elevated but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. It breaks down into $244 billion in excess medical costs (including physician's office and hospital visits, prescription drugs and costly health conditions, such as hypertension and renal complications) and $78 billion in reduced productivity.
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