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Obese US Facing Diabetes Crisis

A million new cases reported a year

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2008 3:35 AM CST
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(Newser) – America is facing a diabetes epidemic—a health disaster more economically catastrophic than a Hurricane Katrina each year, USA Today reports. The disease killed 284,000 people last year, and a staggering million new cases are diagnosed each year as more Americans become morbidly obese, according to a new study by the American Diabetes Association.

The illness costs the US economy some $174 billion a year in medical care and lost productivity, and unchecked diabetes will place an unsustainable burden on state economies, said an expert at the federal Centers for Disease Control. "It's a sad story that should cause us to take action," she said. A national business group representative warned that the disease "will ruin a generation of Americans."

A diabetes sufferer draws insulin for her insulin pump. A new study says Amrica is facing a catastrophic diabetes epidemic. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
A diabetes sufferer draws insulin for her insulin pump. A new study says Amrica is facing a catastrophic diabetes epidemic. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)   (Associated Press)
Dr. Enrique Griego, examines a 13-year-old pre-diabetic patient from San Juan, Texas. A new study says America is facing a diabetic epidemic with a million new patients a year.
Dr. Enrique Griego, examines a 13-year-old pre-diabetic patient from San Juan, Texas. A new study says America is facing a diabetic epidemic with a million new patients a year.   (KRT Photos)
Bob Maher, of Plano, Texas, with his dog Chewie at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chewie has been trained to recognize low blood sugar levels in Maher.
Bob Maher, of Plano, Texas, with his dog Chewie at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Chewie has been trained to recognize low blood sugar levels in Maher.   (KRT Photos)
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obesity • diabetes • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • Medicare • epidemic • insulin • American Diabetes Association • Employee Benefit Research Institute • National Business Group on Health • pre diabetic • health study

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