Epidemiology of Diabetes, Essay Example

Introduction

In the State of Illinois, there are significant challenges associated with diabetes rates and complications for local residents. Approximately 800,000 residents suffer from the disease, which is 8.2 percent of the adult population, and an additional 500,000 cases have yet to be diagnosed; therefore, the condition is serious and requires significant consideration and evaluation (American Diabetes Association, 2014). Within the state, the burden of diabetes contributes to a cost of $7.3 billion annually (American Podiatric Medical Association, 2010). Diabetes risk in Illinois is similar to that of many other states, including Maryland, with a high burden rate in African Americans and Hispanic Americans, as well as American Indians (The University of Chicago, 2014). Therefore, this problem continues to grow in scope and is difficult to contain from a public health perspective.

Analysis

Diabetes in Illinois is supported by organizations such as the American Diabetes Association and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, both of whom conduct research and provide assistance to those who face the risk and burden of diabetes in their lives. Some of the primary macro risk factors include lack of knowledge regarding the risk of diabetes, limited access to healthcare services, disability, and transportation issues in getting to appointments, among others (The University of Chicago, 2014). Micro system factors include the prevalence and risk of obesity, poor diet and nutrition, limited physical activity, insulin resistance as observed in some ethnic groups, and glucose intolerance (The University of Chicago, 2014). These factors tend to exacerbate the already high risk of diabetes in some populations and require further evaluation and analysis from healthcare experts in the primary care and public health sectors.

There are many barriers to diabetes prevention and control that are common in many communities throughout Illinois, including large metropolitan communities such as Chicago. It was recently determined that Illinois and a host of other states have been designated “diabetes hot spots,” whereby they will face an even greater risk of diabetes over the next decade (Changing Diabetes, 2014). It is believed that in the ten states identified as hot spots, over half of the diabetes population in the United States resides, and will continue to assume much of the risk associated with this condition over time (Changing Diabetes, 2014). These factors require an advanced analysis of diabetes within the State of Illinois and a possible treatment strategy that will have a lasting impact on local residents throughout the state (Changing Diabetes, 2014). Therefore, the burden of diabetes for Illinois residents continues to grow, and it is likely to continue for the foreseeable future until there is a method in place to improve diabetes promotion and to limit the overall risk of the disease to the general population (Changing Diabetes, 2014).

Conclusion

Diabetes in Illinois is a very difficult challenge for local residents and requires an ongoing effort to manage new directions with respect to the disease and its overall burden on residents. The nature of the disease and its impact on many different ethnicities requires further evaluation, and it is also important to determine the best possible approaches to the disease that will have a positive impact on local residents. Similar to Maryland, diabetes in Illinois has a significant impact on African Americans; therefore, behavioral modifications and lifestyle interventions may provide a positive approach to limiting the prevalence of the disease within this population group. Overall, the risk of diabetes is very high and requires a long-term effort from a variety of experts and consumers in order to alleviate some of the burden and the risk of the disease to local residents.

References

American Diabetes Association (2014). Springfield, Illinois. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/local-offices/springfield-illinois/

American Podiatric Medical Association (2010). Diabetes by the numbers: Illinois. Retrieved from http://www.apma.org/files/FileDownloads/Illinois.pdf

Changing Diabetes (2014). Diabetes 2025. Retrieved from http://www.changingdiabetesbarometer.com/us-initiative/research-and-data/diabetes-2025.aspx

The University of Chicago (2014). Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.uchospitals.edu/online-library/content=P00353