Study: Almost half of diabetics skip care because of high cost
By Alexa Lardieri (US News & World Report) / June 21 2018
ALMOST HALF OF PEOPLE with diabetes have temporarily gone without treatment because they couldn’t afford it.
According to a new survey by UpWell Health, True Cost of Diabetes, 45 percent of diabetics have skipped care because of affordability issues. A similar number, 43 percent, paid up to $1,000 out of pocket in the past year for treating complications related to the condition. Sixteen percent paid $1,000 to $5,000.
The American Diabetes Association recently reported that the average diabetic incurs about $9,601 in diabetes-related medical expenses per year. Recently, insulin prices have skyrocketed. According to CBS News, the cost of insulin from two manufacturers rose almost 8 percent last year, to more than $275, and some patients’ costs have jumped from $300 to almost $1,000 in the last year.
In addition to financial burdens, diabetes takes its toll on sufferers’ personal lives as well. According to the survey, 37 percent of respondents say the condition has harmed their relationships with loved ones, friends or coworkers. Forty-six percent say they’ve missed activities, outings or other personal events, and 38 percent had to give up hobbies, activities or other interests because of diabetes.
Sixty-two percent of diabetics say complications from the chronic condition interrupt their sleep every week and 8 percent say it happens more than 10 times per week.
Additionally, from meal planning and managing medications to monitoring blood glucose levels and going to doctors’ appointments, many diabetics say they spend countless hours worrying about their condition. More than 40 percent of respondents report spending one to five hours on their diabetes per week. Thirty percent spend up to two extra hours per week shopping for and preparing meals suitable for their diabetes.
Daily maintenance is required as well. Forty-one percent check their blood sugar one to two times per day, and 29 percent check it three to five times. When it comes to medications, 45 percent take them twice a day and almost a quarter take them three to four times a day. Almost all, 91 percent, spend time going to the pharmacy for their diabetes needs at least once a month, with 28 percent making two to four trips per month.
Not only does diabetes take a toll on a person’s physical health, it also can affect a person’s mental health. Thirty-nine percent of respondents report they suffer from depression, 55 percent report they worry about the future and others reported less common conditions including insomnia, eating disorders, stress and anxiety.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that diabetes affects about 30 million people in the United States and, according to the ADA, the total costs of the condition rose to $327 billion in 2017 from $245 billion in 2012, when it was last examined.
UpWell Health’s survey of 5,255 people was conducted online in 2017.
