A Better Today than Yesterday
Rachel Jones knew that the long-term effects of type 2 diabetes could be devastating — complications like vision loss or even amputation of a limb. So nearly 20 years after being diagnosed with diabetes, Rachel gained control of her disease, and more importantly — her life. Medical technologies gave her the ability to control her disease.
In 1974, Rachel was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while pregnant with her first child. Gestational diabetes affects women who usually have a genetic predisposition toward diabetes. In these cases, the stress of the pregnancy and the action of the anti-insulin hormones from the placenta causes blood glucose levels to be elevated. Generally, after the baby is born, gestational diabetes disappears. However, 20 to 60 percent of women with gestational diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Each year in the United States, approximately 135,000 women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes.1 Years after her pregnancy, Rachel joined the nearly 21 million Americans with type 2 diabetes, including 6.2 million who are unaware they have the disease.2 Another 52 million Americans are at high risk of developing diabetes.3
Diabetes exacts a huge human and financial cost on our healthcare system, and in 2002, and totaled $132.7 billion in the United States.
Huge Financial Toll of Diabetes in the United States| Diabetes care | $23.2 billion4 |
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| Chronic diabetes-related complications | $24.6 billion4 |
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| Excess prevalence of general medical conditions | $44.1 billion4 |
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| Indirect costs — lost workdays, restricted activity days, mortality, and permanent disability due to diabetes | $40.8 billion4 |
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| TOTAL ANNUAL COST OF DIABETES | $132.7 billion4 |
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Gaining Control of Her Disease After receiving a call from a diabetes technician at a medical technology company asking her to participate in a new diabetes management program, Rachel decided to take control of her health. Rachel was thrilled to participate. “The timing was perfect; I was ready to commit,” said Rachel. Working with the company, she created a management program that suited her needs and lifestyle. The program stressed healthy eating, exercise and the importance of medication compliance. “Since beginning this program and using a more advanced glucose monitor, I am a better, more productive worker, and I am living a healthier life,” said Rachel. “I now know how easy it is to manage my diabetes, and that I have the strength to make changes if I get off track again.”
Medical technology like diagnostic lab tests; blood glucose monitors; lancing devices and lancets; insulin pumps; and insulin syringes, pens and pen needles enable people to detect, monitor and manage their diabetes, helping to substantially reduce the huge $132 billion financial toll.
Controlled Blood Glucose Improves Health Outcomes & Quality of Life - People with controlled diabetes are more productive workers, have higher job retention and less absenteeism.
- Every one point reduction in A1c (measurement of blood glucose over time) lowers the risk of developing eye, nerve and kidney disease by 40 percent.5
- Each dollar spent on controlling A1c yields health care gains up to nearly $9.00.6,7
In the past, Rachel, like many people with diabetes, often delayed monitoring her blood sugar levels because it was such an uncomfortable and inconvenient process. However, the advanced glucose monitor Rachel uses requires a miniscule amount of blood and is virtually painless. It also provides her with a reading that is both quick and accurate, and Rachel knows she can get her results in five seconds, as opposed to the one minute she had to wait with her old glucose monitor. Additionally, today’s new monitors are also smaller, have the ability to store results and can interact with personal computers to help individuals keep active records of their care to monitor changes.
Improvements in diabetes monitoring systems have resulted in8: - 10% decrease in mortality rates
- 25% decrease in diabetic complications
- 32% decrease in mortality rates due to high blood pressure in patients with diabetes and high blood pressure
- 56% decrease in mortality rates due to heart failure in patients with diabetes and high blood pressure
- 44% decrease in mortality rates due to stroke in patients with diabetes and high blood pressure
Since getting her diabetes under control, Rachel has more energy to do the things she enjoys, including volunteering at her church and excelling in her work as a library technician. Rachel has a variety of projects planned for her home, including painting, a project she never thought she would have the energy for. Rachel also hopes to complete her degree in early childhood education. “This new glucose monitoring system has both changed and saved my life,” said Rachel.