Investing in excellent diabetes care now could avert a future NHS cash crisis

摘要

Diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and cancer are the four key chronic health care priorities of the 21st century. In the UK, recent demographic changes mean that the population has a growing proportion of elderly people, of individuals who are overweight or obese, and of the black and minority ethnic communities - all factors representing an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The number of people with diabetes is expected to rise by between 15% and 25% over the next 20 years. In 2006, diabetes accounted for 10% of total NHS spending, and up to two-thirds of this was accounted for by hospital treatment, including diabetic complications. In the UK, even if not one more person became obese and those already obese gained no more weight, diabetes and its complications would still reach epidemic proportions within 10-20 years.