According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, in 2007 there were 23.5 million people older than 20 with diabetes in the United States. There were also 186,000 people younger than 20 diagnosed with diabetes, both Type 1 and 2. Patients with diabetes must make serious changes to their lifestyles in order to cope with the disease. Patients with diabetes face multiple obstacles to care.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
According to a 2004 article published in "Diabetes Care," the journal for the American Diabetes Association, a survey of 875 adults with diabetes revealed that out-of-pocket costs were limiting their ability to adequately treat their blood sugar. Eleven percent reported cutting back on their medications. Another 28 percent said they went without food in order to cover medication costs. Fifty-two percent of the respondents were women, and 49 percent were taking more than two hypoglycemic medications. Twenty-nine percent had out-of-pocket costs that were greater than $100 monthly. The authors concluded that medication costs pose significant problems in the treatment of diabetes.
Certified Diabetes Educators Aren't Utilized Enough
A 2007 article published in "Diabetes Health" noted that the certified diabetes educator is as essential to the diabetic as medications. Yet the author notes that not all patients are referred to diabetic educators. Many insurance programs don't pay for visits to the educators, although these people are crucial to patients' understanding of and management of blood sugars, dosing medications and insulin, exercising, and understanding the use of glucometers and testing. Although high-tech diabetic treatments and gadgets continue to evolve on the market, there are fewer certified educators to teach patients about these medications and devices. Even when there are educators available, physicians often forget to refer the,and insurance companies do not allow patients to self-refer creating obstacles to care.
Discrimination
People with diabetes face discrimination at times and encounter barriers to treatment, according to the American Diabetes Association. Children with diabetes are particularly susceptible to discrimination. They are told they are not allowed to go on field trips unless a parent comes along. They are cut from sports because the coach has a limited understanding of the disease. The school may prohibit the use of needles, so diabetics cannot check their blood sugar in class. Many kids are not allowed to eat a snack on the bus or in class if they feel their blood sugars are low. Most schools have mandatory days of attendance, and children with diabetes who miss school are penalized. These acts are against the law, and parents should know their rights.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and digestive and Kidney Disease: National Diabetes Statistics 2007
- "Diabetes Care." Problems Paying Out-of-Pocket Medication Costs Among Older Adults With Diabetes John D. Piette, Michele Heisler, Todd H. Wagner. 2004
- "Diabetes Health." The Crisis in Diabetes Education: Essential Care that is Riddled with Problems and What We Can Do To Fix It. Amy Tenderich. 2007
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes and the Law
