With the increasing prevalence of obesity and poor dietary habits amongst the Australian population, diabetes is a disease that will not just go away. The Better Information Network has just launched a new website to act as a one-stop-shop to access information and advise on this condition that is affecting the lives of so many Australians.
(PRWEB) September 28, 2006 -- More than 1.2 million people are estimated to suffer from diabetes in Australia today.
With the increasing prevalence of obesity and poor dietary habits amongst the Australian population, diabetes is a disease that will not just go away. It will, in fact, affect more and more Australians every day. For every person diagnosed with diabetes, Diabetes Australia estimates that there will be another person who does not realise they are suffering with the disease.
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by high blood glucose levels resulting from the body not producing insulin or using it properly. The results of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Life study (AusDiab) show that nearly one-in-four Australian adults has diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism.
Diabetes is the sixth highest cause of death in Australians. Type 2 diabetes is currently the fastest growing chronic disease in the country. At present, there is no known cures for either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
For those in our community at risk or suffering from diabetes, it is critical that they have ready access to resources that will inform and guide them through the early diagnosis, management and monitoring of this debilitating disease.
The Better Information Network has just launched a new website to act as a one-stop-shop to access information and advise on this condition that is affecting the lives of so many Australians.
The Better Information Network is currently asking readers to submit questions and topics relating to diabetes to assist them with the compilation of a comprehensive online diabetes resource (www.OfficialDiabetesBlog.com). The site will contain the most up to date research from the field, risk awareness information, and the personal experiences that sufferers and their families face in controlling the disease .
If undetected or poorly controlled, diabetes can cause a number of health complications that prove to be debilitating or fatal for the sufferer. Eye disorders and blindness, kidney disease and failure, peripheral nerve disease in the feet and legs, and a high instance of heart disease and strokes are the major identified complications of the disease.
Many of these complications are preventable with the appropriate management of diet, regular health checks, and the awareness of the signs and symptoms of a worsening condition. International trials show that lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
“There are so many facts and figures and so much advice out there that sometimes it can be really confusing. We aim to cut through all the clutter so you can find out what you want to know, more easily and in one place.” Stephanie Jakobi, spokesperson from The Better Health Network said, “We’d love to know what questions you have about diabetes and what topics you’d really like to know more about.”
From a purely statistical point of view, it is prudent for every Australian to be aware of the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, and the various strategies we can employ to stave off diabetes for ourselves, our children and family members.
Get the information you require, when you need it. The Official Diabetes Blog can be found at www.OfficialDiabetesBlog.com
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1 out of every 8 US Healthcare Dollars Spent on Diabetes
from MDNG on Jun 19, 2007
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One out of every eight U.S. federal health care dollars is spent treating people with diabetes." So says an article dated today from Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070619/hl_nm/diabetes_study_dc_1).
The National Changing Diabetes Program (NCDP) study found that, in 2005, the US government spent $79.7 billion more to treat diabetics than non-diabetics -- that's 12% of the $645 billion in total federal healthcare spending for 2005. Further, Dana Haza, senior director of NCDP stated that "actually 18 of 21 federal agencies have a budgetary influence impact on diabetes." She adds, "The staggering cost of treating diabetes and the number of diabetes-related programs highlight a need for a national diabetes coordinator to ensure results," Haza said. "We are spending as much on diabetes as we are on the entire Department of Education, but no one is leading the effort."
Plus, an analysis of Medco Health Solutions Inc's 2007 Drug Trend Report shows that by 2009 diabetes medication spending will jump 60-68% from 2006 levels! Sales in 2005 reached $9.88 billion, according to data from IMS Health Inc.
These numbers are astounding to me. As a country, we're getting bigger and eating foods that are worse for us, which leads to overweight and obesity and, in turn, higher rates of various diseases and conditions, including diabetes.
Sure, if someone wants to eat fast food three meals a day, sit on the couch watching TV when they're not at work, and never exercise, that's their right to do so. But when millions of people are making similar decisions across the country, and so much is spent each year treating what in many cases is a disease that's reversible with diet and exerciseand some of that federal spending is coming from my tax dollarsI have to wonder what can be done to make a difference. Do I have a say in how they treat their health? I think so. If not directly, than maybe in the form of denying taxpayer-funded treatment and benefits if they cant meet agreed-to guidelines or other health milestones.
Would a national diabetes coordinator as called for in the Yahoo News articlebe able to make a change? What kind of authority would such a person need in order to do so? Would he or she be charged with controlling spending, improving health, or both? Have such positions been affective in the past?
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