Diabetes care accounts for one of every eight health care dollars in 2005

About one of every eight federal health care dollars in fiscal year 2005, or nearly $80 billion, was spent treating people with diabetes, according to a study released on Tuesday by the National Changing Diabetes Program and the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, CQ HealthBeat reports.

The study, which was the first comprehensive review of all federal diabetes spending, found that improved coordination between government agencies that contribute to federal diabetes funding is needed to more effectively prevent and treat the disease and its complications.

According to the study, the number of U.S. residents with diabetes has doubled to more than 20 million since 1980 and is expected to double again by 2025. The government spends about one-twentieth the amount spent on diabetes treatment that it does on prevention, or about $4 billion, the study found. The study also found that one-third of diabetes cases are not diagnosed.

The study found that substantial "savings can result from efforts focused on prevention, early treatment and greater use of evidence-based practices that reduce risk factors for diabetes, control blood sugar and decrease complications and resulting disability." In addition, the study calls for greater emphasis on self management and care management, health promotion within the federal workforce and enhancement and protection of government databases.

The study also found a need for expanded research on the effectiveness of food assistance programs and the potential for Medicare savings through a reduction in complications related to diabetes. Rep. Michael Castle (R-Del.), caucus co-chair, said that diabetes prevention "doesn't start when you're 60 years old; it starts when you're six years old" (Anderson, CQ HealthBeat, 6/19).