During the two-year period 2013 to 2014, Medicaid's New York system spent over $1.2 billion for the diabetes treatment of around 460,000 patients. A study conducted by New York State Controller Thomas DiNapoli found that diabetes-related Medicaid expenditures increased by 31 percent in the last five years. The survey period ended in March 2014.
Findings showed that almost 10.3 percent of the New York's adult population, roughly 1.6 million, suffered from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Out of the 1.6 million, 460,000 have Medicaid coverage. The report expressed that around 750,000 people could have undiagnosed cases and around 1.5 million adult New Yorkers have high risks of developing diabetes.
Manhattan and Bronx were singled out as the two districts with the highest numbers of Medicaid patients who were hospitalized for diabetes during the survey period, ending in 2013. The United States' (US) Department of Health (DOH) made an announcement in 2012 saying that diabetes in New York has reached 'epidemic proportions'.
"Millions of New Yorkers suffer from diabetes and the numbers are growing," said DiNapoli. He zeroed in on how the costliness of the chronic disease. The severe complications of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are directly proportionate to the magnitude of expenses.
Research data showed 4,035 diabetes deaths occurred in 2013 alone, with the low income population carrying the biggest risk. This demographic earns less than $15,000 annually. The report also showed ethnic and racial minorities and seniors have high numbers of diabetic individuals.
New York's Capital Region Diabetes and Endocrine Care director, Jill Abelseth, commended that the DiNapoli report showed the severity of an epidemic with 'unrecognizable proportions'. Given the recent data, experts predict that one in three Americans will developed Type 2 diabetes by year 2050. A 'prediabetes' state could also sweep the state, however, there is still a chance to stop the epidemic. Public health efforts for early prevention should be stressed.
The New York State Controller expressed that battling diabetes is not just difficult in the state but across the nation. Nevertheless, with a possible epidemic knocking at the door, the widespread fight against diabetes should persist.
