Diabetes
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 9.3% of Americans have diabetes and more than 33% of Americans have pre-diabetes. Without weight loss and moderate physical activity, 15 - 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.
Individuals with diabetes are at an increased risk of serious health complications including: vision loss, heart diease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney failure, amputation of toes, feet, or legs, and premature death. In fact, diabetes is the number seven cause of death in the United States, even though doctors believe many deaths related to diabetes often go undiagnosed.
While diabetes is a very serious disease, it can be managed through physical activity, diet, and appropriate use of insulin and oral medications to lower blood sugar levels.
Below is a chart from the CDC's website that gives more statistics on diabetes.
To help control your diabetes, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Blood Glucose Meters to BCBS Members at no additional charge through the end of 2016. For more information and to see the available options, look at the flyer below.
