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ECONOMIC BURDEN OF DIABETES
Diabetes and its complications impose significant economic consequences
on individuals, families, health systems and countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over the next 10
years (2006-2015), China will lose USD 558 billion in foregone national
income due to heart disease, stroke and diabetes alone.
HOW TO REDUCE THE BURDEN OF DIABETES?
Without urgent action, diabetes-related deaths will increase by more
than 50% in the next 10 years.
To help prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications, people should:
Achieve and maintain healthy body weight.
Be physically active - at least 30
minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days. More
activity is required for weight control.
Early diagnosis can be accomplished
through relatively inexpensive blood testing.
Treatment of diabetes involves lowering blood glucose and the levels of
other known risk factors that damage to blood vessels. Tobacco
avoidance is also important to avoid complications.
Interventions that are both cost saving and feasible in developing
countries include:
Other cost saving interventions include:
Screening for retinopathy (which causes
blindness);
Blood lipid control (to regulate
cholesterol levels);
Screening for early signs of
diabetes-related kidney disease.
These measures should be supported by a
healthy diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body
weight and avoiding tobacco use.
ADAPTED FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(WHO)
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