U.S. Lags Behind in Diabetes Care (2-26-07) 

Press Release

U.S. Chronic Disease Health Care Lags Way Behind Other Countries
 
Thursday, February 15, 11:11 am ET

On dLife TV - Poor diabetes care sign of fatal flaw in our system
 
WESTPORT, Conn., Feb 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States may be the wealthiest country in the world, but we rank only 15th in overall health care for chronic disease sufferers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).  Our health is suffering as a result:  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 600,000 people are admitted to U.S. hospitals every year because of diabetes, and almost 300,000 people die from the disease and its complications, many of which could be avoided -- if our healthcare system were different.  The sorrowful state of diabetes care in America was examined on dLifeTV, the weekly, national show about diabetes, which aired Sunday, 2/18/07 on CNBC at 7:00PM ET (6:00PM CT/4:00PM PT).

Says Richard Hellman, M.D., of The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, speaking candidly on the episode, "The system is being driven by the employer and the insurance company, and neither the patient nor the provider is in the loop." This investigative episode of dLife TV reveals that the 14 countries ranked ahead of the U.S. -- and all the healthiest countries in the world -- use a "chronic care, universal coverage" healthcare system that places heavy emphasis on education and preventing problems before they start.  The U.S. uses an "acute care" system, which emphasizes treatment of existing conditions instead of focusing on prevention.

An example from the world of diabetes:  Some states do not require insurance companies to cover diabetes education, despite the fact that good diabetes self-management is the key to avoiding dangerous and expensive complications.  Viewers can log on to www.dlife.com/advocacy to learn how to help change the system.

Each Sunday, catch an episode of dLife TV, the weekly show that inspires, informs, and connects the diabetes community, with stories about real people, celebrities, cooking segments, and information from top diabetes experts.

About dLife
dLifeTV is the first and only national weekly lifestyle series devoted to living with diabetes, and www.dLife.com is the largest independent website with diabetes information.  The dLife.com TV Viewing Room offers original streaming video content - unique and entertaining diabetes information for people with diabetes, with prediabetes, or who have a family member with diabetes.  dLife, the first and only multimedia platform for diabetes information, inspiration, and connection, is produced by LifeMed Media.  dLifeTV airs every Sunday on CNBC at 7:00PM ET, 6:00PM CT, and 4:00PM PT.  The dLife Diabetes Minute is also heard on radio stations around the country and on XM Satellite Radio.