November 2006

American Diabetes Month

 

Dear friend:

Currently, 20.8 million Americans - 7 percent of the population - have diabetes, a 15 percent increase from just two years ago. Yet, nearly one-third do not know they have the disease. Another 54 million Americans have "pre-diabetes", meaning their blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. They are at higher risk of developing the disease.

Diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and lower limb amputation. It's the fifth leading cause of death by disease in the United States and the sixth leading cause of death in Hawaii. Since 1987 the death rate from diabetes has increased nationwide by 45 percent, while death rates from heart disease, stroke and cancer have actually declined.

One out of every 10 health care dollars was spent on diabetes and its complications, and in 2002 the direct and indirect economic toll from diabetes was $132 million.

November is American Diabetes Month, and as the statictics above make clear, diabetes is one of our nation's most prevalent, debilitating, deadly and costly diseases. All of us are affected by it in some way. All of us know someone - a relative, a friend, a coworker - who has diabetes. But you have the power to control how the disease affects your life.

This month provides Americans with a reminder to step back and talk about what each of us can do to fight it. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, people can prevent its serious complications and live healthy, productive lives with proper management and treatment. Further, those at risk for developing diabetes can take steps and make lifestyle choices to delay or prevent its onset.

What kind of people are at risk for developing diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90 to 95 percent of diabetes cases? Approximately half of all diabetes cases occur in people older than 55. Minorities also face an increased risk: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that by 2050, one of every two minority adults will have the disease. Other risk factors for all Americans include a family history of diabetes, being overweight, a lack of regular exercise, low HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure.

If you have or are at risk for developing diabetes there are a number of steps you can take, including taking a diabetes risk test, getting early access to quality treatment, and making healthy choices like eating right and staying active.

New Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for a one-time thorough review of their health, in addition to education and counseling about preventative services. The exam must be performed within the first six months of enrollment in Medicare Part B coverage. Additionally, Medicare provides free diabetes screening up to two times per year to all individuals 65 or older who exhibit risk factors for diabetes. Seeing your doctor and getting a physical is the best way to determine your risk for developing diabetes.

As a member of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, I encourage everyone to use Diabetes Month as an opportunity to take a friend, relative or yourself to the doctor to determine what steps can be taken to live a longer, healthier life.

You can learn more about diabetes by calling our local diabetes association, or by visiting the Centers for Disease Control Website at www.cdc.gov/diabetes, or the National Institutes of Health site at http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/.

Aloha,

Neil Abercrombie

Member of Congress