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December 13, 2023

By Deborah Stewart, M.D., Sr. Regional Medical Director, Florida Blue

Most of us have seen ads and skimmed headlines related to the health impact of type 2 diabetes. But the rate of type 2 diabetes diagnoses continues to rise and not just among older adults.  An article published in the December 2022 issue of Diabetes Care projects that by 2060, the number of people under age 20 being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes will increase by 673%!

Why it matters

Today, an estimated 13% of all U.S. adults have diabetes, and nearly 1 in 3 have prediabetes1.

While this directly impacts those with the condition the most — physically, emotionally, and financially — it impacts all of us indirectly.

  • One dollar out of every $4 in U.S. health care costs is spent on caring for people with diabetes2.
  • Most of the cost for diabetes care in the U.S., 67.3%, is provided by government insurance (including Medicare, Medicaid, and the military). The rest is paid for by private insurance (30.7%) or by the uninsured (2%)2.

And, as more and more young people are diagnosed, these statistics will only increase impacting health care, the economy, workforce development, and most importantly, the individuals and families impacted.  Those with diabetes may experience more anxiety and depression when confronted with daily glucose monitoring, changing diets, more frequent doctor appointments, and possible long-term complications, including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, nerve damage, and other problems with feet, oral health, vision, and hearing.

Florida Blue’s working to be part of the solution

Before developing type 2 diabetes, most people have prediabetes; their blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough yet for a diabetes diagnosis. The good news is that prediabetes can be reversed or delayed. While some risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as family history or age cannot be changed, others can be avoided by maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) delivers an affordable, evidence-based lifestyle change program. Studies show this program, which focuses on healthy eating and physical activity, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 50% for people at high risk.
  • The Florida Department of Health provides information on the CDC’s DPP programs offered in Florida as well as other programs available to help those with prediabetes.
  • Florida Blue Centers offer a modified DPP program open to the community based on risk factors.  This no-cost 16-week Weight Management to Prevent Diabetes program provides education, tools, and support to help participants make lifestyle changes that may help them reverse their prediabetes. We encourage those at risk for type 2 diabetes to call or visit their local Florida Blue Center and talk with a registered nurse to learn more about the program as well as other health and wellness resources offered at no cost to everyone in the community, including nutrition and exercise classes.  
  • Employers can enroll in Florida Blue’s Better You well-being program3 to help improve the health risks of their employees. Through engagement in health screenings, nurse coaching for lifestyle and condition management, and digital solutions for ongoing support, Florida Blue is helping to manage the risk for type 2 diabetes.
  • Our Florida Blue Foundation recently awarded $3.3 million in grants to nine community-based programs across the state to improve access to healthy food in food deserts and other rural communities where individuals have limited access to affordable, healthy food options. The latest funding brings the total foundation investment in food security programs to more than $14.5 million over the last four years.

Our foundation also provides funding for programs to help with nutrition education like a program Girls Inc. in Pinellas County is incorporating into their school year, which helps elementary-age girls learn about nutrition and health in creative ways. This program addresses the health challenges girls in moderate and low socio-economic families face growing up, such as poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and the poor health outcomes associated with these.

The bottom line: Together, we can reverse the trend

We can help reduce the trajectory by using the collective expertise and skills we each bring to the table to make positive changes for people of all backgrounds and in every community. Change takes time, but it can happen and we’re seeing the momentum pick up as we continue educating people about the impact diabetes has now and on future generations and offering evidence-based programs and tools that empower community members to own their health.

 

1CDC’s National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020

2American Diabetes Association. Economic costs of diabetes in the US in 2017. Diabetes Care. 2018;41(5):917–928)

3Better You is available to our group health plans with 100 or more employees. 116146 1223

116146 1223