The Y rolls out new health program targeting diabetes

YMCAs will advance the program nationally with support from insurers and employers. Also in the news, researchers express concern about the increasing costs likely to accompany soaring Alzheimer's disease rates.

The Wall Street Journal: The Y Takes On Diabetes
A new health program being rolled out at YMCAs across the country shows the potential for a community-based organization to deliver a nationwide health care intervention. The Y's target is diabetes. Research has shown that the program, which combines exercise, dieting and individual counseling, can have a big impact in reducing incidences of diabetes. Impressed by the research, insurers and employers are providing direct funding as the YMCA seeks to enroll participants in the program and induce them to reach weight-loss targets (Dooren, 2/14).

USA Today: As Alzheimer's Rate Soars, Concern Rises Over Costs
Patients with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia will spend three times more on health care than patients with other types of illnesses, the association says. Medicare patients with Alzheimer's and other dementias spent $43,847 on health care and long-term care services, compared to $13,879 spent by patients without those illnesses, the association said in a 2012 report. For government health care programs already facing economic strain, these estimates are daunting, researchers and advocates say (Lloyd, 2/14).