The impact and cost of diabetes on the family

DIABETES IS a deadly disease, causing death, disability and suffering, especially by increasing the rates of stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. Diabetes also bankrupts the family. It systematically robs the finances of families, more so if the diabetic person is the major breadwinner, or if they have type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes is expensive due to the costs of medication, insulin, supplies like test strips and blood sugar meters; hospital care; and doctor visits. For some people, lack of resources to handle the financial costs can cause serious complications. There are also indirect costs, such as the loss of productivity by reducing their ability to work, increased insurance premiums, loss of insurance, and slower upward mobility in the workplace.

The direct costs have been increasing steadily over the years, and the United States of America paid US$237 billion in 2017, accounting for one in four healthcare dollars. The direct costs for caring for a diabetic person in Jamaica is about US$1,676 per year. It is estimated that diabetes and cardiovascular-related diseases will cost Jamaica $77 billion over the next 15 years.

You can reduce diabetes’ financial burden:

■ Follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent diabetes.

■ Treat your diabetes seriously by following a treatment plan with your healthcare team.

■ Increase your physical activity.

■ Follow your meal plan carefully to maintain a healthy weight.

■ Ensure your blood pressure and cholesterol are controlled.

■ Get financial assistance, e.g., the National Health Fund, Life for a Child Programme

Remember the ‘health of our nation is the wealth of our nation’.

MICHAEL BOYNE Professor of endocrinology and metabolism Head, dpt of Medicine The University of ther West Indies