The study noted that the diabetes epidemic will continue to expand, and improving treatment and management practices are vital to reversing this trend. Over the next 20 years, type 2 diabetes cases outpace the growth of the U.S. population, to eventually affect 32 million patients (8.6 percent of the population)(4). With this jump in type 2 diabetes prevalence “ and with people who have the disease expected to account for 15 percent of all national healthcare expenditures by 2031(5) “ better patient management practices are urgently needed.

The study found that, with our aging society, the elderly will be particularly affected by this epidemic. The share of those covered by Medicare could climb by 7 percentage points to encompass 44 percent of all type 2 diabetes cases(6). However, if a 30 percent reduction in people not meeting targets for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels is achieved by 2031, Medicare could save $47 billion annually(7).

SOURCE Milliman Inc.