According to the American Diabetes Association, one in 11 Americans has diabetes, while another 86 million adults are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If left untreated, diabetes can cause severe health problems including blindness, kidney and heart disease, nerve damage and more. Fortunately, diabetes can be managed, and those with pre-diabetes can prevent progression to diabetes, through healthy lifestyle changes. Eating better, losing weight, exercising, quitting smoking, and lowering blood pressure can all reduce your risk of developing this disease.
What is your personal risk? If you have a relative who’s had diabetes, you may be at greater risk. Certain racial and ethnic groups are at higher risk as well. Smoking and being overweight also increase your risk.
Aside from the health risks posed by this disease, the economic toll to individuals and society as a whole is enormous. According to the American Diabetes Association’s study, “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2012,” diabetes costs are $245 billion annually, an increase of over 40% since 2007. The toll to the individual can be financially devastating as medical visits, hospitalizations, medication, and complications add up.
Visit the American Diabetes Association’s website to learn more about how you can lower your risk and manage your diabetes.
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