Talk About Cutting The Fat Out of Spending -- Start With Fat People
EINNEWS, November 23---Looking for ways to cut costs? Cut fat.
A new report forecasts that if things keep going the way they are by 2020 it will cost the U.S. health care system $3.35 trillion to treat half the population who will either be diabetic or prediabetic.
The report comes from health insurer United Health Group, which estimates that by the end of the decade the annual cost for diabetic and prediabetic care will be about $500 billion. It's already at nearly $200 billion.
The forecast is included in the company's report, "The United States of Diabetes: Challenges and Opportunities In The Decade Ahead."
The report estimates annual health care costs in 2009 at $11,700 per person compared with about $4,400 for the non-diabetic public. The comparison comes from an analysis of United's 10 members. The average annual cost nearly doubles to $20,700 for a person with complications related to diabetes.
Complications related to diabetes can include heart and kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness and circulatory problems that can lead to wounds that will not heal and limb amputations.
Diabetes currently affects about 26 million Americans. Another 67 million Americans are estimated to have prediabetes, which shows up in higher than normal blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
For more fast food news, visit Fast Food News Today (http://fastfood.einnews.com), a fast food media monitoring service from EIN News.
A new report forecasts that if things keep going the way they are by 2020 it will cost the U.S. health care system $3.35 trillion to treat half the population who will either be diabetic or prediabetic.
The report comes from health insurer United Health Group, which estimates that by the end of the decade the annual cost for diabetic and prediabetic care will be about $500 billion. It's already at nearly $200 billion.
The forecast is included in the company's report, "The United States of Diabetes: Challenges and Opportunities In The Decade Ahead."
The report estimates annual health care costs in 2009 at $11,700 per person compared with about $4,400 for the non-diabetic public. The comparison comes from an analysis of United's 10 members. The average annual cost nearly doubles to $20,700 for a person with complications related to diabetes.
Complications related to diabetes can include heart and kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness and circulatory problems that can lead to wounds that will not heal and limb amputations.
Diabetes currently affects about 26 million Americans. Another 67 million Americans are estimated to have prediabetes, which shows up in higher than normal blood sugar levels, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
For more fast food news, visit Fast Food News Today (http://fastfood.einnews.com), a fast food media monitoring service from EIN News.
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