Diabetes taking a great cost from companies, their staff
Diabetes is costing people, companies and the U.S. at least $174 billion a year in extra costs, according to a national estimate.
The 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet suggests that the cost includes $116 billion in excess medical expenditures attributed to diabetes, as well as $58 billion in reduced national productivity.
An estimated $1 in $10 health care dollars is attributed to diabetes. Indirect costs include increased factors such as absenteeism, reduced productivity, and lost productive capacity due to early mortality, according to the analysis.
People with diagnosed diabetes, on average, spend 2.3 more on medical expenses from their diabetes. An estimated 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—are diabetic.
