The economic burden of diabetes

Health Aff (Millwood). 2010 Feb;29(2):297-303. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0155. Epub 2010 Jan 14.

Abstract

New research provides revised comprehensive estimates that suggest that the U.S. national economic burden of pre-diabetes and diabetes reached $218 billion in 2007. This estimate includes $153 billion in higher medical costs and $65 billion in reduced productivity. The average annual cost per case is $2,864 for undiagnosed diabetes, $9,975 for diagnosed diabetes ($9,677 for type 2 and $14,856 for type 1), and $443 for pre-diabetes (medical costs only). For each American, regardless of diabetes status, this burden represents a cost of approximately $700 annually. These results underscore the urgency of better understanding how prevention and treatment strategies may or may not help reduce costs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cost of Illness*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus / economics*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / epidemiology
  • Health Care Costs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Expenditures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • United States / epidemiology