New diabetes statistics show rising tide of disease

The American epidemic of diabetes has leaped to historic heights in just two years according to information just released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 29 million Americans now have the disease, up from 26 million, a 12 percent jump in the number of diabetes cases in just two years.

This is not surprising to Dr. David Robbins, director of the KU Diabetes Institute at The University of Kansas Hospital, who is seeing more and more diabetes, and pre-diabetes patients every day.

“It’s a sad and expensive statistic,” Dr. Robbins said. “Once one has diabetes, it not only shortens the life span, it as much as triples the cost of medical care. So it’s a very serious diagnosis.”

For more information on the clinical trial or to participate, call 913-588-0277.

To see a KU Hospital video about diabetes, increased cases at local hospitals and the clinical trial, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nrpyi7edKk.