Diabetes On The Rise In Upstate NY

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One in ten upstate New York adults has been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and annual treatment costs are estimated to be $2.5 billion, according to a new report issued today by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. More than 377,000 upstate adults have been diagnosed, which is 81,000 more than just five years ago.

"To provide a visual reference, 81,000 adults could fill Ralph Wilson stadium where the Buffalo Bills play, and then some," said Dr. Robert J. Holzhauer, Excellus BCBS vice president and chief medical officer. "That's a staggering increase in adult diabetes here in upstate New York in the last five years."

According to the Excellus BCBS report, "The Facts about Upstate New York adults with diagnosed type 1 and type 2 diabetes and estimated treatment costs," 9.8 percent of upstate New York adults have been diagnosed with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes; up from 8.2 percent in 2003.

Holzhauer cites an aging population and the rise in obesity as the primary reasons for the increase in prevalence of diabetes.

The percentage of upstate New York adults who are overweight or obese, as classified by their body mass index (BMI), is 63 percent; up from 55 percent in 2003.

"The economic impact of diabetes and associated medical conditions and disabilities is something we should all be concerned about," said Holzhauer. "About one in five U.S. health care dollars is spent to provide care for individuals with diabetes."