( llowed by chronic kidney disease(3) ($9...)First-of-its-Kind National Report Reveals Estimated High Prevalence,and Heavy Cost of Type 2 Diabetes Complications in America,Health

"As great as these financial burdens are, this is a conservative estimate, as it only includes direct medical costs," adds Manning. "Costs attributed to lost employment or productivity, premature death and disability have not been included, and if we factor in those costs, the overall burden would be far greater."

The risk of developing the serious health complications associated with type 2 diabetes can be reduced. People with type 2 diabetes should work with their healthcare provider to develop a personal diabetes management plan. A good plan includes healthy eating and regular physical activity, but these lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to lower blood sugar adequately. Many people with type 2 diabetes also may need one or more medicines. Some medicines work together in different ways to control blood sugar levels. People should track how their diabetes plan is working by monitoring their blood sugar regularly and checking with their doctor to see if lifestyle or medicine changes need to be made. Blood sugar monitoring should be done with a blood glucose meter and by getting an A1c test. AACE recommends an A1c target level of 6.5 percent or lower. Reaching this target is important since every one percent increase above six percent significantly elevates a person's risk of serious complications.

The diabetes complications consortium was formed to provide helpful information to people with type 2 diabetes about how to reduce the risk of the health complications associated with the disease, as well as support and encouragement to people who have experienced these serious health problems. The members of the diabetes complications consortium include the Amputee Coalition of America, the National Federation of the Blind, the National Kidney Foundation and
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