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Diabetes Epidemic Could Claim 622,000 Lives Annually by 2025

Changing diabetes program to stimulate system-wide change to combat disease

Nov. 9, 2005 - A new report released today by the Yale Schools of Public Health and Medicine in conjunction with the Institute for Alternative Futures reveals that if the healthcare system in the United States continues to fail in adequately preventing and treating diabetes, by the year 2025 the number of people dying and suffering from diabetes and its complications will roughly triple.

The risk of diabetes increases with age. About 21 percent of older Americans aged 60 years or older have diabetes. This compares to approximately 2 percent for people 20 to 39 years old and about 10 percent for those aged 40-59 years.

"Diabetes is one of only two major causes of death in the U.S. that continues to increase while other major causes of death are declining. This is directly linked to the obesity epidemic," said Derek Yach of the Yale School of Public Health.

The study found that if the system remains unchanged, in just 20 years, by 2025:

  ● Diabetes-associated deaths will nearly triple from 213,062 in 2000 to 622,000.
  ● Blindness from diabetes will increase three-fold from 24,000 to 70,000.
  ● Cases of kidney disease because of diabetes will almost triple from 41,046 to 119,000.
  ● Amputations because of diabetes will triple from 82,000 to 239,000.
  ● By the year 2025 the U. S. will nearly triple its spending on costs associated with diabetes to $351 billion.
  ● The number of people living with diabetes will more than double to 50 million-equivalent to the population of nearly 27 states.

The report identifies six major systemic barriers to the improvement of diabetes and chronic disease care in the United States, including the structure of economic incentives, a disproportionate focus on acute care, and inadequate dissemination and use of best practices.

Novo Nordisk, the world's leading diabetes care company which supported the report, announced today the launch of the National Changing Diabetes Program.

The program is aimed at stimulating the U.S. healthcare system to evolve into one that is designed for diabetes prevention and care specifically and chronic disease management generally.

Over the next five years, Novo Nordisk is making a multi-million dollar commitment to the initiative, working with partner organizations to change how diabetes is viewed and managed in the United States.

"The numbers from Yale demonstrate clearly why we must change how diabetes is prevented and treated in the U.S.," said Martin Soeters, president of Novo Nordisk.

"It is unacceptable that 1 in 3 children born today in the United States will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Novo Nordisk believes it has both the opportunity and responsibility to make a meaningful difference that will save lives and prevent the devastating complications of diabetes. The National Changing Diabetes Program is a huge step towards this goal."

Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and founder of the Center for Health Transformation, applauded Novo Nordisk for its leadership. "It is vitally important that business leaders join with leaders in the medical community and in government to address this devastating and costly epidemic," Gingrich said. "No one organization can do all that needs to be done, and private sector participation is crucial."

"The American Diabetes Association would like to commend Novo Nordisk for shining a spotlight on the barriers to diabetes care and management in the U.S. and the grim consequences if we do not enlist more stakeholders to take action," said Lynn Nicholas, chief executive officer of the American Diabetes Association.

"The National Changing Diabetes Program is an example of the type of vision and innovative leadership that offers new approaches, insights and resources to advance our efforts in the fight against diabetes. We are pleased to be a part of this exciting new endeavor."

While diabetes affects millions of Americans, senior citizens, Blacks and Hispanics suffer from the disease in disproportionate numbers.

"The data presented today gives the Latino community a clear and concise message: the risks we face are far graver than we originally thought," said Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice-Chair, Congressional Diabetes Caucus and former Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

"And when we further reflect on the reality that one out of two Latinos born in the year 2000 will get diabetes, we must realize that we do not have to accept this fate, for standing idly by could mean the difference in saving the life or limb of one of our own family members. Action is required and personal responsibility for our health and well-being is of paramount importance."

"The data released today offer a rare glimpse into the health of African- Americans 20 years from now and that forecast is extremely bleak," said Congresswoman Donna Christensen, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust.

"The rate at which African-Americans are diagnosed with diabetes is almost twice that of whites. That is a wake-up call, and if we fail to act now, nearly half of our community will be diagnosed with this disease that has already taken a heavy toll on African Americans."

In addressing the connection between childhood diabetes and obesity, Dr. Fran Kaufman, one of the nation's premier pediatric endocrinologists and author of a new book entitled Diabesity said, "If we are to have a real impact on Type 2 diabetes among children, we must address one of its root causes- childhood obesity. We don't have the luxury of waiting until these children reach adolescence and adulthood."

Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company with an 80-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. With the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems, Novo Nordisk is a world leader in diabetes care. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers.

A copy of the full report "Barriers to Chronic DISEASE Care in the United States OF AMERICA: the Case of Diabetes and its consequences" can be found at http://www.novonordisk-us.com/.

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