Yes, if.

Reuters put out a report from Bill Berkot stating that more than half of Americans will have Type 2 Diabetes or be prediabetic by 2020. The cost is estimated at $3.35 Trillion to the US Healthcare System.

The report goes on to say:

“The average annual health care costs in 2009 for a person with diabetes were about $11,700 compared with about $4,400 for the non-diabetic public, according to new data in the report drawn from 10 million UnitedHealthcare members.

The average annual cost nearly doubles to $20,700 for a person with complications related to diabetes, the report said. Complications related to diabetes can include heart and kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness and circulatory problems that can lead to wounds that will not heal and limb amputations.”

My head is still wrapping around the amount of zeros in a trillion.

The article definitely raises awareness of Diabetes, but seems to focus on the monetary bottom line rather than what’s really at stake – the people! Yes, it is costly to make sure that we have enough test strips to accurately manage our disease. Yes, the complications can lead to drastic medical issues. But in the long run, is it the money that’s important?

I don’t think so.

And while I will take ownership of my round shape and bad eating habits, I will not take blame or ownership of the cost to the US Healthcare System!

"Because diabetes follows a progressive course, often starting with obesity and then moving to prediabetes, there are multiple opportunities to intervene early on and prevent this devastating disease before it's too late," Deneen Vojta, senior vice president of the UnitedHealth Center for Health Reform & Modernization, said in a statement.

Multiple opportunities?

• Yes, if you have decent insurance so your co-pays are not through the roof.
  
• Yes, if your doctor is not backlogged with so many appointments that you can’t get into see them in a decent timeframe
  
• Yes, if you’re in tune with what your body is telling you instead of just trying to get through life.
  
• Yes, if.
  

Glass houses folks. Glass houses.