Interesting Article re: Diabetes

[greeklawgirl]

I never doubted the importance of Alpha Gamma Delta's philanthropy, but this article brought home the magnitude of the diabetes epidemic. Alpha Gams, be proud of the contributions YOU are making to rid the world of this horrible disease!


Experts: World Facing Diabetes Catastrophe
Mon Aug 25, 3:17 PM ET

By Emelia Sithole

PARIS (Reuters) - More than 300 million people worldwide are at risk of developing diabetes and the disease's economic impact in some hard-hit countries could be higher than that of the AIDS (news - web sites) pandemic, diabetes experts warned on Monday.



In a report released at the International Diabetes Federation conference in Paris, experts estimate the annual healthcare costs of diabetes worldwide for people aged 20 to 79 are at least $153 billion.


"In some countries with a higher incidence, diabetes has a higher economic impact than AIDS," Williams Rhys, professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of Wales, told a news conference.


According to the Diabetes Atlas report, total direct healthcare spending on the disease worldwide will be between $213 billion and $396 billion by 2025, if predictions are correct that the number of people with diabetes will rise to 333 million by 2025 from 194 million.


Diabetes occurs in two basic forms: type I, which occurs in children and adolescents and accounts for five-10 percent of all diabetes cases, and the more common type II, or adult onset diabetes.


Patients with type I diabetes do not produce enough insulin while those with type II produce insulin but cannot use it effectively. Adult onset diabetes can often be prevented or controlled in its early stages with careful diet and exercise, but patients often need a range of drugs to control it.


Diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, disability and death.


HEALTHIER FOODS


More than 75 percent of diabetes cases are expected to be in developing countries by 2025 because of rapid culture and social changes as well as increasing urbanization. This is expected to further burden healthcare systems already stretched by the AIDS pandemic.


"What AIDS was in the last 20 years of the 20th century, diabetes is going to be in the first 20 years of this century," said Paul Zimmet, foundation director of the International Diabetes Institute.


Zimmet and other experts say the diabetes epidemic will be fueled by an estimated 314 million people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or higher than normal blood glucose levels -- a high risk condition for developing type II diabetes.


They also warn that type II diabetes was increasing in children and adolescents in many countries and is linked to rising obesity. They urged food companies -- especially those who make fast foods -- to produce healthier foods and governments to set up national campaigns to combat diabetes.


"We are running out of time," IDF President-elect Pierre Lefebvre warned during a news conference.


"If action is not taken now to stop the rise in diabetes, there is a significant risk that governments and social security (news - web sites) systems may fail to ensure the appropriate care to the millions who will be affected by diabetes in 2025," he said.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Sorry to barge in here like this.

I am a type 1 diabetic so I wanted to read the article.
It was a very interesting read. I had no idea it such an epidemic. I knew it was a serious problem but if they are comparing it to the AIDS epidemics, then it's much worse than I thought.

Thanks for posting the article. And thankyou Alpha Gamma Delta for supporting Diabetes research.

[DWAlphaGam]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/condi...eut/index.html

Researchers: Diabetes epidemic worsening

Tuesday, October 7, 2003 Posted: 4:14 PM EDT (2014 GMT)

CHICAGO, Illinois (Reuters) -- One in three Americans born in the year 2000 will develop adult-onset diabetes, a worsening epidemic that disproportionately affects women and minorities, federal researchers said on Tuesday.

Rising rates of diabetes are directly related to the increasing incidence of obesity among Americans, said researcher K.M. Venkat Narayan of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The overwhelming reason why diabetes is increasing in the country is because there's an epidemic of obesity," Narayan said.

"Among Americans, a woman has a slightly higher risk, probably a 39 percent chance of developing diabetes in her lifetime, and minority groups, particularly Hispanics, have a one in two chance of developing diabetes," he said.

The disease's impact on blood vessels damages the body's organs, can cause blindness, and often leads to kidney and heart disease -- and shaves between 10 and 15 years off a victim's life.

Projecting trends based on health data covering 360,000 Americans from 1984 to 2000, the research estimated the number of people with diabetes will increase to more than 28 million in 50 years from 17 million currently.

The data showed nearly 7 percent of U.S. adults had diabetes in 1999, up from less than 5 percent a decade earlier.

The risk of diabetes is higher than a woman's risk of breast cancer -- a one in eight chance -- and roughly the same as the risk of heart disease -- one in two for men, one in three for women.

Narayan, writing in this week's edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, said people can lessen their risk appreciably through regular exercise and a healthy diet.

[adduncan]

Type 2 diabetes is directly associated with pancreatic cancer. In our experience it can be both a predisposing factor, and even an early symptom.

Talk about an incentive to prevent (and cure) diabetes! Chances are the research in this area may also shed light on the cancer side in the future.

Adrienne

[DWAlphaGam]

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has some great information on its Patient Pages about diabetes. If you're interested, here are some links:

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Children

Safe Driving for People with Diabetes

[rainbowbrightCS]

I a PNM would also like to add how much diabetes affectes every one life. Both my grandparents died of it, both my mom and dad have diabyes, my brother does. Every year I am tested for it. I have all the signs that I may have it, and because of my family I can honestly say I will one day have it. It is now a question of when. I try to eat healthy, but when it is genetics like me I have to be very carefull. I think one of the best way to stop this epicdemic is through education. The Diabetes Ass. of America understands this, but education is expensive too, with the help of the Alpha Gamma Delta foundation, and many other donations, college students like me will understand what the candy bar could do to them and stop them from a horrible disease.

Christia

[rubyrose]

My daughter is Type 1 and we just moved to a new state and had a really tough time getting her in to see an endocrinologist. The earliest appointment time they had was 6 months out. Needless to say a miracle occured and we were able to get her in sooner. What I have heard from her endocrinologists in both states is that the number of children with Type 1 seems to be going up by leaps and bounds and there is a shortage of endocrinologists to deal with the demand. Every time we go to the endo, we sit in packed waiting rooms and wait hours to finally see the doctor. I don't know what the actual statistics are but it would be interesting to know if Type 1 is really on the rise. But Type 1 is not caused by diet, so I really don't know what the answer will be to curb its occurence. I know they are having some successes with the possible cure which would be an amazing medical achievement!

Roses to AGD for its contributions to the fight against Diabetes!!

rubyrose

[greeklawgirl]

I saw that article last night and was going to post it, but Donielle beat me to the punch with her sharp squirrel eyes. The thought that 1 out of 3 children born in the USA in 2000 will be diagnosed with Type II Diabetes is horrifying.

The risk of a Type II diagnosis can be prevented or reduced with a healthy diet and exercise! The word has to get out. If you're interested in doing something in your community, contact IHQ about "Pacesetters," which is an exercise program Alpha Gam is promoting in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control.

Our philanthropy is more relevant now than ever before.

[ilovemyglo]

My mommy was diagnosed in 2002- it is a hard battle because she has horrible eating habits and even though she changed a few of them, she hasn't changed what she needs to in order to be healthy. She eats potatoes and breads all the time.
It hurts me so badly and I beg her to help herself and get educated but she just says she is fine.
However I did find out recently that have developed a NASAL SPRAY for those insulin dependant diabetics. It is currently in the clinical trials, and maybe available for release in 2005 or 2006! Thanks to AGD for helping to fund research so that millions of people can throw away the insulin needles and breathe in the medication they need! HOPEFULLY!
As for my mommy, I just hope she keeps her eyesight long enough to see her grandchildren.