How does diabetes affect adolescents in the global community?
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Type one diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease that reaches all corners of the earth. According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 542,000 children live with T1D world wide. In the United Kingdom approximately 400,000 people are living with T1D, over 29,000 of them are children (JDRF). Each year, approximately 65,000 children under the age of 15 develop T1D (Usher-Smith). A person living with T1D will receive roughly 65,000 injections and measure their blood glucose over 80,000 times in their lifetime (JDRF). To put that into perspective if a person lived the average global lifespan of 79 years, they would receive about 2 injections and check their glucose levels 3 times every day.
The prevalence of type one diabetes is increasing in numbers world wide. For example, it is estimated that T1D in China will increase six-fold by the year 2025 (McGuire). Another example of its increasing prevalence in the global community is, in the United Kingdom incidence of T1D is increasing steadily by about four percent each year, particularly in children under five (JDRF). Diabetes is a disease that will not go away on its own, it is having a bigger impact on the global community each year.
The prevalence of type one diabetes is increasing in numbers world wide. For example, it is estimated that T1D in China will increase six-fold by the year 2025 (McGuire). Another example of its increasing prevalence in the global community is, in the United Kingdom incidence of T1D is increasing steadily by about four percent each year, particularly in children under five (JDRF). Diabetes is a disease that will not go away on its own, it is having a bigger impact on the global community each year.
What are treatment options found around the world?
Type one diabetes is a very expensive disease to treat. According to the World Health Organization, it costs a global average of 1319.15 USD to treat one person with T1D for a year (cost varies from country to country). While it is common for people in high-income countries to have access to treatment, people living in low-income countries don’t always have access to needed medications and treatments. In these countries people cannot get treatment due to a variety of reasons: economic, geographical, lack of information, etc. the lack of a reliable and continuous supply of insulin can lead to severe illness and death. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that about 5 million people die each year as a consequence of diabetes. Many of these deaths could be prevented with access to proper medicine.
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