The estimated total economic cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2012 is $245 billion, a 41% increase from our previous estimate of $174 billion (in 2007 dollars).
– American Diabetes Association
Having diabetes requires a lot of expense. As with any chronic health issue, there’s the cost of medication, medical supplies, medical tests, doctor’s visits. It all adds up.
The ADA in the study quoted above went on to say: “People with diagnosed diabetes incur average medical expenditures of about $13,700 per year, of which about $7,900 is attributed to diabetes.” So it’s not like I, as a person living with diabetes, am getting a free ride.
The medical landscape is complex. There is no one thing that is driving costs. Besides, if diabetes was the one cause what do you propose we do about that?