Diabetes continues to be one of the country’s fastest growing and most expensive chronic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that more than 34 million adults are currently living with type 2 diabetes in the United States, while approximately 88 million have prediabetes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes cost employers and insurers billions of dollars each year in medical expenses and lost productivity:
- Care for people with diagnosed diabetes accounts for 1 in 4 healthcare dollars in the U.S.
- On average, people with diagnosed diabetes have medical expenditures approximately 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes.
- In 2017, the total cost of care for people with diagnosed diabetes was $327 billion, up 33% over a 5-year period. This included $237 billion in direct medical costs and $90 billion in costs related to reduced productivity and absenteeism.
From a local standpoint, a newly published report by the Population Health Collaborative, titled “The Economic Impact Of Poor Health On Our WNY Community,” finds that almost 11% of Buffalo-Niagara residents have diabetes. Of these, 10% have a hospitalization in a year. Overall, Buffalo-Niagara’s incremental medical costs from diabetes is $200.4 million per year, while the annual costs for productivity losses total nearly $158 million.
People who develop type 2 diabetes usually have prediabetes first. Data from the CDC shows that, without intervention, around 15-30% of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. Therefore, when doctors, patients, insurers and employers work together, it is possible to prevent diabetes by finding ways to decrease incidence and prevalence of prediabetes.
What is prediabetes?
Prediabetes is a warning sign that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. If you have prediabetes, it increases your risk for not only diabetes, but also heart disease and stroke. There are often no signs or symptoms associated with this condition. In fact, the CDC estimates that over 80% of those with prediabetes do not even know they have it.
Employers can do their part to help raise prediabetes awareness by encouraging their employees to take a quick Prediabetes Risk Test. According to the CDC, people may be at higher risk for prediabetes if they are overweight and/or over the age of 45. Other risk factors include:
- Lack of physical activity
- A history of diabetes during pregnancy
- A parent or sibling with diabetes
Employees who score a 5 or higher on their Prediabetes Risk Test are advised to speak with their doctor about their results. A blood sugar test may be required to determine if they have prediabetes.
How to lower prediabetes risk
Since diabetes is a significant workforce issue, there is an opportunity for employers to create a culture that promotes healthy habits. It’s important to keep in mind that people can lower their risk for prediabetes, as well as heart disease and stroke, by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Being physically active
- Making healthy food choices
- Managing chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure
Employers can also help their employees prevent diabetes by choosing a health insurance plan that offers helpful tools and resources, such as a CDC-recognized lifestyle change program. A good example is the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which is a nationwide effort to reverse the trend of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in U.S. Research shows that people with prediabetes who take part in a structured lifestyle change program can cut their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%.
Independent Health now offers Diabetes Prevention Program
New for 2021, Independent Health is offering Brook+, a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program that is included as a covered benefit for our commercial plans. Members who have prediabetes and meet certain eligibility requirements will be able to participate in this year-long program from the comfort of their own home. Brook+ has a $0 member cost share for all of our insured plans, including High Deductible Health Plans such as iDirect and Choice Plus.
Using fully digital delivery and on-demand content, Brook+ helps participants make real lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier, incorporating physical activity into their daily lives, and improving problem-solving and coping skills. A CDC-trained lifestyle coach provides one-on-one guidance and participants have the support of a small group of peers. View an informational flyer about Brook+.
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