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Via Executive Healthcare:
It may be surprising to hear, but diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for approximately 70,000 annual deaths.
Among Americans 30 and older, 13.7 percent of men and 11.9 percent of women have diabetes. Almost one-third of them have never received a diagnosis of the disease. There are 23.6 million people in the United States, or 8 percent of the population, who have diabetes
By applying statistical techniques to two databases, one with numbers gathered at the state level and the other national, researchers have arrived at what they believe are highly accurate estimates of prevalence, both diagnosed and not, in each state.
Colorado, Minnesota, Montana and Vermont have low rates, with Vermont the lowest at 6.1 percent for people 30 to 59 and 19.9 percent for people over 60. Southeastern states have the highest rates, and Mississippi, where 11.4 percent of people 30 to 59 and 27.7 percent of those over 60 are diabetic, has the highest of all.
The great infographic at EH merits a look.
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And what do you know but Mississippi is the poorest state in the country, with many of its southern neighbors close behind.
Based on 2007 data*, here are the percentages of residents at/below poverty by state for the ten poorest states:
United States 13.00% < national average
Mississippi 20.6
Louisiana 18.6
New Mexico 18.1
Arkansas 17.9
Kentucky 17.3
West Virginia 16.9
Alabama 16.9
District of Columbia 16.4
Texas 16.3
You'll note that DC is included; wonder what diabetes incidence looks like in the District?
Being poor is a serious health risk — one more reason to ensure a public option with access for all.
*source: U.S. Census Bureau.
About 90% of people with Diabetes have Type II Diabetes, associated with poor diet and lack of exercise. People in poverty tend to rely on processed foods and relatively low-cost fast foods. This reliance is reinforced by lack of affordable, healthful groceries in their neighborhoods. Poverty confounds and compounds, reducing people from achieving their potential to just trying to get through the week. A public option will make health care available to people who currently have no health care at all, or limited access through public programs such as Medicaid and indigent care. Much more is needed, however, to prevent chronic diseases such as Type II Diabetes, including infusion of funds to guarantee outreach in poor communities, teaching people about basic nutrition and healthful food preparation, as well as exercise, and ensuring availability of nutritious foods to them.
Yeah, it’s the new trap we’ve created for the poor.
Well, Jason Rosenbaum, let’s hope more generous and caring people will be inspired by Magic and Kevin and work within their local poor communities to establish nutritious, affordable food stores. And let’s encourage everyone to donate to their local Food Closets and Shelters. Both services are swamped right now–with no let up in sight.
Two former NBA stars, are stars also in trying to get grocery stores into low-income areas: Magic Johnson and Kevin Johnson. We need many more like them.